Catch a Fire (2006)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Phillip Noyce

Writer:

Shawn Slovo (written by)

Release Date:

27 October 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History | Thriller

Tagline:

This Fall stand for something

Plot:

A drama about terrorism in Apartheid-era South Africa, revolving around a policeman and a young man who carries out solo attacks against the regime.

Plot Keywords:

1980s | Political Thriller | African National Congress | Soccer Coach | South Africa

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Tim Robbins	...	Nic Vos
Derek Luke	...	Patrick Chamusso
Bonnie Henna	...	Precious Chamusso
Mncedisi Shabangu	...	Zuko September
Tumisho Masha	...	Obadi (as Tumisho K. Masha)
Sithembiso Khumalo	...	Sixpence
Terry Pheto	...	Miriam
Michele Burgers	...	Anna Vos
Mpho Lovinga	...	Johnny Piliso
Mxo	...	Pete My Baby
Jessica Anstey	...	Katie Vos
Charlotte Savage	...	Marie Vos
Nomhlé Nkyonyeni	...	Mama Dorothy (as Nomhle Nkonyeni)
Michael Mabizela	...	Shaven Head Bomber
Eduan van Jaarsveldt	...	Special Branch Sergeant (as Eduan van Jaarsveld)

Also Known As:

Au nom de la liberté (France)
Hotstuff (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic material involving torture and abuse, violence and brief language.

Runtime:

101 min | Canada:98 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

France | UK | South Africa | USA

Language:

English | Afrikaans | Zulu | Portuguese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Ireland:12A | Netherlands:12 | Australia:M | Germany:12 | South Africa:16 (V) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #42758) | Argentina:13 | South Korea:12 | Finland:K-13

Filming Locations:

Cape Town, South Africa

Company:

Mirage Enterprises

Trivia:

Robyn Slovo, who is Shawn Slovo's sister, acts as her own mother, Ruth First, in the film.

Quotes:

Patrick Chamusso: My children, when they speak if their father, they will say he was a man who stood up for what was right, a man who said he must do something now. What will your children say about you?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Tavis Smiley: (2006-10-26)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Hot Stuff

Catch a Fire is powerful and emotional

Catch a Fire is surprisingly powerful and emotional. This emotion is assisted by a very moving soundtrack of South African music. The emotion is also feed by a brutal force of "anti-terrorists", with some of their interrogation techniques being very hard to watch for a PG-13 rated film. Though most violence is implied the film still does a very good job of portraying the brutality of the treatment that suspected terrorists in South Africa received. This film also does a great job of showing the terrorists side of the fight and offers insight into their motivation. The film focuses on people and their motivations and anyone can identify with almost every character. Despite being based on a true story and being a fairly realistic portrayal of the actual events, this film somehow manages to have enough action and suspense to have a fairly high entertainment value. A must see for anyone who enjoys historical films or drama/thrillers. 9/10