Catch a Fire

• Blood Diamond (Two-Disc Special Edition)
• The Last King of Scotland (Widescreen Edition)
• Babel
• The Good Shepherd (Widescreen Edition)
• Hollywoodland (Widescreen Edition)
• Flags of Our Fathers (Widescreen Edition)
• The Prestige
• The Pursuit of Happyness (Widescreen Edition)
• The Illusionist (Widescreen Edition)
• Children of Men (Widescreen Edition)

What you get as far as acting, however, is outstanding. Bottom line: If you sway towards films based on true events that seek to pour light upon the truth rather than bury it with dramatic license and overpaid actors, then "Catch A Fire" is a film you must consider, as well as the moving story of Paul Rusesabagina in 2004's critically-acclaimed "Hotel Rwanda". When Patrick still cannot confirm his whereabouts the day of the bombing, Vos uses a technique that has Chamusso surrendering to his will, only to be vindicated after lying again to save his family.

Though the ANC opposed and voraciously fought the restrictions and totalitarianism of the apartheid system, they were still labeled a terrorist organization by the US and the UK, an idea that only served to prove that the majority of Americans were too busy with the convenience and comfort of their own lives to take their heads out of the sand and discover the truth. What will your children say about you.". . Luke showcases exactly why he is a rising talent with his moving portrayal of Patrick Chamusso, a man torn by his heart's convictions and his love for his family. When Patrick cannot establish a rock solid alibi due to his reluctance to reveal his infidelity (something his wife Precious has long suspected), Vos begins to kill him with kindness, sitting him down at his dinner table with his own family, a grim reminder for Patrick that Precious and their daughters are without the stability of his income. Once he is released, the brutal elements of his brief captivity catapult him into the strong-armed Umkhonto we Sizwe, a militant branch of the African National Congress.

He does manage to incur a small amount of sympathy when his family becomes a target for his threat to the anti-apartheid movement. "Catch A Fire" also contains many rousing African songs with beautiful vocal harmony but the majority of the words belie the joyousness of the singing and only serve to remind of the struggle that South Africa's people endured for years on end. When the Sasol oil refinery at Secunda is bombed in 1980, an intense investigation is launched by an anti-terrorist organization headed by Nic Vos (Robbins). Angered by the constant death and oppression of his native people, Chamusso instigates another bombing at Secunda, one that he hopes will pillage the inexcusable hostilities of apartheid through the destruction of its industrial livelihood.

Robbins does an admirable South African accent and is cool and calculating as Nic Vos, his discerning cold blue eyes making the viewer feel intimidated. I consider it a personal accomplishment on Philip Noyce's (Clear and Present Danger, The Bone Collector) part when I watched this film and paid little heed to the actors because the story is the fundamental centerpiece. Long chiding his mother-in-law for lending an ear to ANC's radio programs, he is now a listener himself as well as an elite member who comes to be known by the codename of "Hot Stuff". Cast largely with unknowns with the exception of Tim Robbins and Derek Luke (Antwone Fisher), "Catch A Fire" is a fascinating film based on even more fascinating true events. Vos and his team of investigators seize Patrick and other Secunda employees from their homes, coercing them to confessions by using excruciating forms of torture.

Something else I appreciate from Noyce is his goal to procure the truth of these insidious events in South African history. The movie also serves to illustrate how powerful an idea can become when individuals are pushed to the brink. The film tells the story of a little known South African named Patrick Chamusso, a man who became a political activist and a criminal only after he was wrongly accused of a crime. "My children, when they speak of 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. Luke was fortunate enough to be able to sit down with the real Patrick and the two of them even enjoyed a light game of football (soccer), which is shown among an interview with Patrick immediately before the end credits.

and treated blacks anywhere near fairly, there would have been no struggle in the first place.Human rights can't thrive in a place where prejudice and discrimination dominate. and comfortable in apartheid South Africa and was polarized into a freedom fighter by his treatment by the white police forces and that of his family and friends. On man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. Had the government bent to the demands,. An autobiographical story of a man who was relatively happy. Life goes on today in South Africa and white people still live there and have rights as citizens.

That is where we need to start in helping to build peace in our world. I teach a Catholic Social Justice Course and purchased the video to enable students in their independent study to better understand some of the issues presented in the film. I think it was very helpful and would recommend the film to anyone who might want to approach some of these issues with young people.

Although it was lesser known than Last King Of Scotland or Blood Diamond I found the story to be a little more balanced. I love Derek Luke and Tim Robbins. Does it exist. I loved this film. I really liked the soundtrack and can not find it.