I exspected too much from this movie
Added 6/16/2009
I looked at Catch a Fire in the video shop and thought it might be a really cool and interesting movie , telling me history and culture of south Africa. The main actor was in Antwon Fisher which is one of my favorites. It did show some culture from 1970's south Africa but to me although based on a true story was boring. A man is arrested because they think he is a terrorist he is released then becomes one out of revenge. So let me put it this way , say Mr.man got arrested because they thought he stole a car so then he gets out because he was innocent but is mad so starts the habit of stealing cars. I don't need to say more. There accents were good, boring ending showing the cast with the real guy , most of the time its just talking about the way the main guy feels about terrorists. If you want to see this movie ,Don't. If you feel like you have to go steal it or find it on youtube. and remember if you are wrong fully arrested don't go out and commit the crime when they release you.
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Good story, short on facts
Added 4/19/2009
I was there when this happened, there was an attempted bombing in Springs and a small bomb went off in the refinery, denting a pipe, but no fire.
Still a good story about the times.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Catch An Incredible Story
Added 9/24/2008
"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. What will your children say about you?"
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. 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. 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). 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. 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.
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. 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. 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". 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.
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. What you get as far as acting, however, is outstanding. 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. 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. 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. He does manage to incur a small amount of sympathy when his family becomes a target for his threat to the anti-apartheid movement.
Something else I appreciate from Noyce is his goal to procure the truth of these insidious events in South African history. 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. The movie also serves to illustrate how powerful an idea can become when individuals are pushed to the brink.
"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.
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".
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The meaning of polarization
Added 6/7/2008
An autobiographical story of a man who was relatively happy
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?
Life goes on today in South Africa and white people still live there and have rights as citizens. Had the government bent to the demands,
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.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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"SOME GAVE ALL, ALL GAVE SOME, NO ONE GAVE NOTHING"
Added 4/25/2008
This movie gives an inside view of the life of Patrick Charmusso, a South African man, who only wanted a better life for his family and his country. Patrick Charmusso, portrayed by Derek Luke, is a peaceful man, working at a refinery, trying to overcome the struggle of the South African. This one man, Tim Robbins, is at the root of all the problems that develop for Patrick and his country. He is the controller, the one who speaks and others jump, and he makes Patrick's life into a living hell, for Patrick and his family. Precious, Patrick's wife, portrayed by Bonnie Henna, is determined to stand by her man, and she is violently abused, as is Patrick, for their determination for a better life. Their is a loyalty between the two of them that sticks. Patrick later leaves his family, joins the freedom fighters, and takes a stand against those who are corrupt. However, it is not without a price to pay. The freedom fighters unite against the corrupt, and make their stand. This will take Patrick into a completely different direction that he does not expect, but in the end of his struggle, it has its own reward for everything he and his family and other South Africans suffered.
I especially enjoyed the part at the end, where the REAL Patrick Charmusso meets Derek Luke, and there is a warmness shared between them. Also, the REAL Patrick Charmusso deserves kudos for that which he has accomplished, in spite of all that he and his fellow countrymen have endured. You will see what I mean at the movies end.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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I exspected too much from this movie
Added 6/16/2009
I looked at Catch a Fire in the video shop and thought it might be a really cool and interesting movie , telling me history and culture of south Africa. The main actor was in Antwon Fisher which is one of my favorites. It did show some culture from 1970's south Africa but to me although based on a true story was boring. A man is arrested because they think he is a terrorist he is released then becomes one out of revenge. So let me put it this way , say Mr.man got arrested because they thought he stole a car so then he gets out because he was innocent but is mad so starts the habit of stealing cars. I don't need to say more. There accents were good, boring ending showing the cast with the real guy , most of the time its just talking about the way the main guy feels about terrorists. If you want to see this movie ,Don't. If you feel like you have to go steal it or find it on youtube. and remember if you are wrong fully arrested don't go out and commit the crime when they release you.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Good story, short on facts
Added 4/19/2009
I was there when this happened, there was an attempted bombing in Springs and a small bomb went off in the refinery, denting a pipe, but no fire.
Still a good story about the times.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Catch An Incredible Story
Added 9/24/2008
"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. What will your children say about you?"
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. 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. 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). 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. 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.
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. 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. 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". 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.
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. What you get as far as acting, however, is outstanding. 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. 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. 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. He does manage to incur a small amount of sympathy when his family becomes a target for his threat to the anti-apartheid movement.
Something else I appreciate from Noyce is his goal to procure the truth of these insidious events in South African history. 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. The movie also serves to illustrate how powerful an idea can become when individuals are pushed to the brink.
"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.
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".
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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