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.

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Interview: Catch a Fire's Bonnie Henna
/FILM, MA - Oct 26, 2006
Question: Bonnie, What was it like getting into your character? Bonnie Henna: I don't think she was a complex character. I thought ...

Catch a Fire
New York Magazine,  USA - Oct 22, 2006
Phillip Noyce (The Quiet American, Rabbit-Proof Fence) directs the year's most radical political drama, a smart and surprisingly audacious film about the flip ...

'Catch A Fire' revisits S. Africa's past
Jam! Showbiz, Canada - Oct 22, 2006
... He's not an unknown any more. Luke is back in theatres Friday in Catch A Fire, a film about South African hero Patrick Chamusso. ...

Australia's Noyce looks at apartheid in "Catch a Fire"
Reuters.uk, UK - Oct 6, 2006
... Fence.". Oscar winner Tim Robbins and Derek Luke star in "Catch a Fire," set in the early 1980s in apartheid-era South Africa. It's ...

Dubya meets his maker
Vancouver Westender,  Canada - 2 hours ago
... Catch a Fire acts to restore the standing of real-life stories. ... In a world of black vs. white, Catch a Fire succeeds by exploring the murky depths of grey. ...

An Evening with... 'Catch a Fire'
Back Stage, NY - Oct 9, 2006
Back Stage is proud to present a special free Los Angeles screening of Focus Feature's upcoming political thriller Catch a Fire, from the director of The Quiet ...

Africa‘s ready for Hollywood close-up
Akron Farm Report, NE - Oct 23, 2006
LOS ANGELES - The title of the latest film out of Africa — "Catch a Fire" — might describe what‘s happening with cinema on the continent. ...

Starving actor: How Derek Luke caught 'Fire'
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - Oct 23, 2006
Derek Luke faced a problem when he arrived in South Africa to star in "Catch a Fire," a true story in which he plays anti-apartheid hero Patrick Chammusso. ...

Trial by 'Fire'
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX - Oct 22, 2006
In 'Catch a Fire', the fight against South Africa's apartheid engulfs an 'ordinary man.' It was Hollywood's challenge to find a star 'ordinary' enough to play ...

Derek Luke showcases spirit of apartheid-era hero
PopMatters, IL - Oct 23, 2006
Derek Luke, who plays the reluctantly radicalized Patrick Chamusso in the apartheid-era political thriller “Catch a Fire,” admits that he was “pretty ...

Sympathy for a devil
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - Oct 21, 2006
When Tim Robbins signed on to play an Afrikaner police officer in the new film "Catch a Fire," he knew his challenge would be finding compassion for a ...

Activist actor does about-face
South African Film News (press release), South Africa - Oct 23, 2006
... What is unexpected, however, is that Robbins plays a South African government official who favours the status quo in his latest movie, Catch a Fire. ...

Actor finds key to role in prison
Charlotte Observer, NC - Oct 21, 2006
Derek Luke, whose career was jump-started with 2002's "Antwone Fisher," plays South African Patrick Chamusso in "Catch a Fire.". ...

'Catch A Fire' Actor's Research Led To Nelson Mandela Prison Cell
Starpulse.com, CT - Oct 10, 2006
Derek Luke was left shocked during a research visit to a South African prison for new movie Catch A Fire, when he spent time in the cell where former South ...