Catch a Fire Movie Questions
Please answer the following questions in complete sentences on a separate sheet of paper:
1. In the beginning of the film, Patrick attempts to distance himself from the growing political movement against apartheid. He refuses to listen to ANC radio programs, does not sing freedom songs, and chastises his friends for becoming too political. Why do you think Patrick chooses not to get involved in politics?
2. How do issues of national security conflict with issues of personal security in the film?
a. Before Patrick was arrested, he felt reasonably secure. Was he secure? Give examples from the movie to support your answer.
b. Nic Vos and his family enjoyed many personal and economic liberties that the black population did not. Did Nic and his family feel secure? Give examples from the movie to support your answer.
3. What similarities do Patrick and Nic’s families share? What are the differences? How do the portrayals of the white and black communities as a whole differ?
4. After Patrick is arrested, he admits to a crime that he did not commit. Why? Was Nic right to release him after realizing his confession was false?
5. Nic Vos used torture as a way to extract information from known or suspected terrorists in order to protect his country. As a result of his tactics, he learns of Patrick’s plans to blow up the Secunda Oil Refinery and is able to dismantle the bomb on the core reactor before it explodes. Were Nic’s tactics of torture justified?
6. What was Patrick fighting for when he left for Mozambique? What was Nic Vos fighting for?
7. What is the definition of a hero? A freedom fighter? A terrorist? Which is Patrick? Which is Nic?
8. In what ways were the women in this film heroes?
9. Patrick leaves his family without telling them where he is going, sacrificing familial happiness and security for the greater good. How did Precious’s life change after Patrick left for Mozambique? How did Patrick’s life change?
10. Patrick planted an explosive that blew up a portion of the Secunda Oil Refinery. Though no one died in the explosion, it resulted in material damage to the company. Should he have been punished for his actions? Were his actions justifiable? Were his actions wrong? What was the message he hoped to send through his actions and to whom was he sending the message? Do you think Patrick was successful in getting his message across?
11. The film focuses on both personal and governmental betrayal. What are some examples of personal betrayal in the film? Of governmental betrayal?
12. Precious reveals Patrick’s location to the police because she believes he left her for another woman. Were her actions justifiable? Were her actions wrong?
13. Why does Patrick choose to forgive Nic at the end of the film? How do Precious and Patrick learn to forgive each other? How do they learn to forgive themselves?
14. Patrick and the other freedom fighters were struggling to make South Africa more secure and free for their children. How do you envision Sixpence’s future had he survived?