ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS: 1. Synopsis 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. 2. About the Production Apartheid ended 15 years ago in South Africa, but there are still heroes’ stories to be told from those times that the world has not yet heard. Patrick Chamusso’s life is one such story. 3. A Brief History of Apartheid (1948-1991) and South Africa (1652-present) While apartheid was only ended in South Africa 15 years ago, the roots of the system date back several centuries. 4. A Brief History of the ANC and the ANC Military Wing (MK) The African National Congress (ANC) was formed by a caucus of tribal, political, and religious groups in 1912, in response to the increasingly oppressive laws of the South African government that were depriving blacks of their rights, land and freedom. 5. A Brief History of Patrick Chamusso Patrick Chamusso was born into a rural Mozambique family in 1950. His father was a migrant laborer who worked over the border in South Africa as a miner, and as such was only allowed home once or twice a year (for Easter and/or Christmas) and was only minimally compensated.

Production information

CATCH A FIRE
A PHILLIP NOYCE FILM
A Focus Features Release

Synopsis

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. A Focus Features presentation in association with StudioCanal of a Working Title/Mirage Enterprises production. A Phillip Noyce Film. Tim Robbins, Derek Luke. Catch a Fire. Bonnie Henna. Music by Philip Miller. Costume Designer, Reza Levy. Production Designer, Johnny Breedt. Editor, Jill Bilcock, A.C.E. Directors of Photography, Ron Fortunato, ASC, Garry Phillips. Executive Producers, Sydney Pollack, Debra Hayward, Liza Chasin. Produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Anthony Minghella, Robyn Slovo. Written by Shawn Slovo. Directed by Phillip Noyce. A Focus Features Release.

NEXT
About the Production
Apartheid ended 15 years ago in South Africa, but there are still heroes’ stories to be told from those times that the world has not yet heard. Patrick Chamusso’s life is one such story.