Apartheid: legal segregation enforced by the white government of South Africa for over 45 years. A law that wasn’t truly challenged by the world until the 1980’s, even though it began in 1948. A law ferociously fought against by the minorities of South Africa, led by men like Nelson Mandela and spurred on by “terrorists” like Patrick Chamusso, who single handedly bombed an oil refinery in the name of freeing his country (no one was harmed).
Chamusso is the subject of “Catch a Fire.” And a worthy subject he is. After working hard, fitting in and following the rules for most of his life, Chamusso was arrested and tortured for crimes he did not commit. His family was then put in danger too, forcing him to flee his country in order to join the African National Congress and take militant actions.
The film as a whole is tense and intriguing, presenting a subject that too few Americans know enough about and a part of the world almost all Americans don’t pay enough attention to. Director Phillip Noyce captures the beauty and greatness of the African country and its people, much like he did in “Rabbit Proof Fence,” without ever making the subjects “others” like a less experienced director would. The end result is a film that feels like the men who were there made it. Chamusso was actually on set for much of the filming and spent time with the man who played him Derek Luke.
Luke ("Antione Fisher") steps into the lime light here as Chamusso, and hopefully his performance won’t go overlooked by the Academy and the viewing public in general. He turns in a riveting portrayal of Chamusso, that rivals Don Cheadel’s performance in “Hotel Rwanda.” His screams of “What kind of man are you?” at co-star Tim Robbins after finding his wife beaten and tortured push past the screen, begging the audience to ask themselves the same question as the many terrible acts committed under Apartheid are presented.
Robbins is right in step with Luke delivering his best performance since “The Shawshank Redemption,” and nailing the incredibly tough white South African accent. The scenes between he and Luke are both tense and heart wrenching as both men come to grips with what their lives mean.
The greatest idea to come out of “Catch a Fire” though is not the battle between the men but the struggle between right and wrong. Where and when are lines crossed? When do you stand and fight and what is most important, stability or freedom? They aren’t easy questions for anyone to be faced with, but “Catch a Fire” lays them out beautifully.