Catch a Fire

by Ari

Phillip Noyce is the perfect director for Catch a Fire, a filmmaker with a knack for creating suspense and tension. The story is based on the actual events of a man’s rise against apartheid in South Africa during the early 80’s, and Noyce brings the realism, intensity, and emotion needed to effectively portray the conflict. Many filmmakers are using past events or even concocting fictitious scenarios to make sharp political statements with their art. Spielberg used the Munich massacre to comment on the continuous and circular nature of terrorism in his most daring and ambitious work. The Wachowski Brothers expressed their feelings about our administration by adapting V For Vendetta into an aggressive Bush parable and cautionary tale. Political ideals are showing up in several works, from art films to mainstream Hollywood escapist entertainment. In Munich’s case, it was timely and powerful, a film that challenged audiences with its thematic edge. With V For Vendetta, the message was so assertive and forceful that it eventually lost its complexity and resulted in something admirable, but rather simple.

Filmmakers sometimes work too hard when exploring a political concept, leaving no room for any dramatic involvement with the story or characters. The movies that focus almost exclusively on political agenda translate into cold, sometimes dense experiences, while the stories that grab you dramatically have the greatest thematic impact. Instead of using the topic of apartheid in South Africa to preach some grand political message about freedom fighters and terrorists, Noyce keeps things straightforward and lean, examining the emotional conflict of the main character. Because of this, Catch a Fire strikes a powerful chord, turning what could of been a routine historical drama into a compelling tale of freedom and revolution.

Whenever the film strays towards the conventional, the lead performance by Derek Luke brings you back into the intensity of the story. This young actor has much to be proud of with his work here - a heartfelt and mature piece of acting that ranks with the best of the year. The fall movie season is obviously when every studio releases their most important productions, hoping to gain Oscar recognition for their filmmakers and actors. We’ve seen some excellent work in the last couple of months because of this precise studio scheduling, sometimes making it difficult for smaller films to compete with the more hyped releases. It would be a shame if Derek Luke’s performance gets lost in the shuffle. His work is real and captivating, providing a deep emotional basis to the story.

Patrick Chamusso (Luke) is a simple man living in South Africa, working as a foreman at an oil refinery and raising his children with his beautiful wife, Precious (Bonnie Henna). He spends his time with his family and the soccer team he coaches, paying little to no attention to the political uproar surrounding him. He wants no trouble for himself or the people he knows, ignoring the pressing issues of his country. When he catches his mother listening to politics on the radio, he shuts it off. When his co-workers at the refinery sing a song praising the freedom fighters, he remains silent. Patrick wants no concerns or problems, just a happy and easy life. This, of course, doesn’t last very long.

Chamusso's outlook on politics is changed forever after an explosion at the refinery. Nic Voss (Tim Robbins), a member of an anti-terrorism unit, wrongfully arrests Patrick and eventually his wife, torturing them for answers. The treatment is cruel and unnecessary. Voss releases them once he figures out Patrick is clearly innocent, but the incident is too horrible and evil for Patrick to leave behind. He immediately joins the ANC and trains to become a freedom fighter that will help liberate his people.

It takes some time for Catch a Fire to get going, but once Patrick realizes what he has to do, the film becomes a suspenseful account of a man standing up for what he believes. You can’t help but become invested in his fight for justice. Noyce directs the last half of the film with urgency, maintaining a humanity and realism of great emotional resonance. Because you're invested in the characters, the political themes are effective.

Catch a Fire is exhilarating and moving, one of Phillip Noyce’s finest achievements.