Washington, D.C. Film Festival
Catch a Fire
- Director: Phillip Noyce
Born in the Australian outback town of Griffith, New South Wales, Noyce moved to Sydney with his family at the age of 12. As a teenager, he was introduced to underground films produced on shoestring budgets as well as mainstream American movies. He was 18 when he made his first film, the 15-minute "Better to Reign in Hell," utilizing a unique financing scheme selling roles in the movie to his friends.
In 1973 he was selected to attend the Australian National Film School in its inaugural year. Here, he made "Castor and Pollux," a 50 minute documentary which won the award for best Australian short film of 1974.
Noyce's first professional film was the 50 minute docu-drama "God Knows Why, But It Works" in 1975. This helped pave the way for his first feature, the road movie "Backroads" (1977) which starred Australian Aboriginal activist Gary Foley. In 1978, he directed and co-wrote "Newsfront," which won Best Film, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay at the Australian Film Awards, as well as proving a huge commercial hit in Australia. In addition to opening the London Film Festival, "Newsfront" was the first Australian film to screen at the New York Film Festival.
In 1982, "Heatwave," co-written and directed by Noyce and starring Judy Davis, was chosen to screen at the Director's Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival.
Noyce's other film credits include the political thrillers "Patriot Games" and "Clear And Present Danger" starring Harrison Ford, "Dead Calm" starring Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill and Billy Zane and "The Bone Collector" which starred Oscar© winner Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.
Returning to his native Australia after 12 years working within the Hollywood system, 2002 saw two Noyce films released worldwide at almost the same time.
"The Quiet American" starred Michael Caine in an Academy nominated best actor performance and appeared on over 20 top ten lists for 2002, including the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute.
"Rabbit Proof Fence" was based on the true story of three Aboriginal girls abducted from their families by Australian authorities in 1931 as part of an official government policy. The film won Best Picture at the Australian Film Awards, and together with "Quiet American" garnered Noyce numerous best director awards including National Board of Review in the US and UK's London Film Critics Circle.
- Synopsis
- The North Eastern Coal Fields, South Africa, 1980
Times are tough for black people in South Africa but PATRICK CHAMUSSO has his home, his family and a good job at the Secunda Oil Refinery. He wants no part of the anti-Apartheid movement, choosing instead, to lead a simple life. PATRICK is absent from work when terrorists attempt to blow up the Oil Refinery. He has taken the day off to watch his football team play the final and to secretly visit the son he fathered with his ex-girlfriend.
NIC VOS, a white policeman striving to maintain order in the face of increasing unrest, arrests PATRICK and two black co-workers. During the interrogation, he presents himself as a saviour from the harsh methods of his fellow cops. To protect his marriage, PATRICK hides the alibi that could save him, until his wife PRECIOUS is also arrested and beaten. He breaks down and confesses a lie: That he aided the terrorists. VOS sees through his confession and releases him.
PATRICK returns home a changed man and joins the outlawed African National Congress (ANC). He volunteers to single handily destroy the Secunda Refinery, earning him the code name 'Hotstuff'. When VOS learns of the plan, a manhunt begins. PATRICK strikes the plant, sending the surrounding black townships into darkness. Vos closes in on him and captures PATRICK who is sentenced to 24 years in the notorious Robben Island prison.
Cast and crew. »