Catch a Fire (2006)

Directed by: Phillip Noyce | 98 minutes | action, biography, drama, history, romance, thriller | Actors: Tim Robbins, Derek Luke, Bonnie Mbuli, Mncedisi Shabangu, Tumisho Masha, Sithembiso Khumalo, Terry Pheto, Michele Burgers, Mpho Lovinga, Mxo, Jessica Anstey, Charlotte Savage, Nomhlé Nkyonyeni, Michael Mabizela, Eduan van Jaarsvelt

A few times a year there are those films that make a big impression on you. Films that move you and make you think. Often these films contain a political message or tell a true story. Sometimes they are just so dramatic that they stay with you for that reason. There was ‘The English Patient’ in 1996 and ‘The Constant Gardener’ in 2005. ‘Catch a Fire’ can definitely be added to this list of most memorable movies.

‘Catch a Fire’ tells the life story of Patrick Chamusso. He was born in Mozambique in 1950 and left for South Africa as a teenager to build a better life for himself. After all kinds of jobs, he has enough money to live well. In the 1970s he moves with his wife Precious to Secunda, a town east of Johannesburg. Here he will work for the Secunda Oil Company. He lives a happy life with his wife and two daughters, loves his job, coaches the local football club and is not involved in politics.

In 1980, the ANC party (The African National Congress – Nelson Mandela’s anti-government party founded in 1912) bombs the oil refinery and Patrick is arrested on suspicion of terrorist activities. After this experience, Patrick’s anti-political stance changes and he promises himself that he will do everything he can to fight for the freedom of his country.

The role of Patrick Chamusso is wonderfully portrayed by actor Derek Luke. Luke is not really known to the general public yet, but it will undoubtedly be after ‘Catch a Fire’. The American actor delivers a very convincing performance and knows how to convey his emotions perfectly – the female viewer will not keep it dry. The second lead role is for Tim Robbins. His job is to interrogate suspects and prevent attacks. He is also convincing as Nic Vos: father of two daughters who is at odds with himself. On the one hand, he has to do his job and arrest and interrogate Patrick. On the other hand, he can empathize well with Patrick when he is taken away from his wife and daughters. In particular, in the scene where the intelligence agency captures Patrick’s wife to get him to talk, you see this struggle. South African actress Bonnie Henna doesn’t have much acting experience yet, but she also does a good job as Patrick’s strong wife, Precious Chamusso.

The film is full of traditional African music (and dance): from battle songs to sensitive songs that support the story very well. ‘Catch a Fire’ ends with original footage of Mandela and Patrick Chamusso, who now lives in northeastern South Africa and runs an orphanage with his second wife Conney in which they have taken in more than eighty children. ‘Catch a Fire’ is a moving and convincing film. The fact that it is based on the true story of Patrick Chamusso and that it appears in front of the camera at the end adds a lot to the impression the film leaves behind. With a strong story, excellent acting and beautiful music, ‘Catch a Fire’ is definitely the must see of 2007.