Powerfully telling the story of a South African hero's journey to freedom,
Catch a Fire is the new film from director Phillip Noyce (The Quiet American,
Rabbit-Proof Fence). The political thriller takes place during the country's
turbulent and divided times in the early 1980s, and in the new South Africa of
today. Derek Luke portrays real-life hero Patrick Chamusso. Patrick is a
charming and loving husband to his wife Precious (Bonnie Henna), and a caring
father to his two young daughters. He works as a foreman at the centrally
located Secunda oil refinery, which is a symbol of South Africa's
self-sufficiency at a time when the world was protesting the country's
oppressive apartheid system. In his spare time, Patrick coaches a local boys'
soccer team. Carefully toeing the hard line imposed on blacks by apartheid,
Patrick is completely apolitical. Academy Award winner Tim Robbins plays Nic
Vos, a Colonel in the country's Police Security Branch. The shrewd and
charismatic Vos strives to maintain order in volatile situations, which have
become more and more frequent as the outlawed activist organization African
National Congress (ANC) rallies blacks against apartheid. Vos is also concerned
for the safety of his wife and two daughters. He and his family live a world
away from the Chamusso family ...until the innocent Patrick comes under
suspicion and is arrested (in June 1980) for sabotage of the Secunda oil
refinery. His alibi is compromised, and Patrick is desperate to shield Precious
from a past indiscretion and keep his job. But he is ill-prepared to withstand
brutal interrogations by Vos' men. As Vos further insinuates himself into the
lives of the Chamussos, to Patrick's shock and shame, Precious herself is jailed
and tortured. Although he and Precious are soon released from custody, Patrick
is stunned into action and completely reorients his sense of self and purpose.
He leaves his family to join up with the ANC. Becoming a rebel fighter and
political operative, Patrick is radicalized on behalf of his people and his
country. He ultimately envisions a formidable and dangerous follow-up strike
against the Secunda refinery, risking his own life and future. Change must and
will come, for Patrick and his family, and for South Africa itself.
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