Not the best review- Catch a fire

   1. In general, what did you like and dislike about the film?

I really liked the film overall, specially the first half. It was a portrait of a man that was trying to not bother anyone and live a normal life. Patrick Chamusso, the protagonist, felt like a real person , he had the goal to live with his family (however cheating on his wife) , enjoyed his hobby that was teaching kids about soccer and doing his job in the oil refinery. I really liked that he had a turning point when his wife , Precious, was punished for nothing and he decided to go against the intelligence service.

In my opinion the big flaw of the movie is the second half. It felt like a "hollywood movie" altogether, something that wasn't meant to be or you don't expect with the first half. The second part is faster and full of action, while the first part felt more real. The fight scenes and the last part (the climax in the refinery) felt too staged.

  2.  Who was the character you like the most and the character you liked the least in the film? Why?

Patrick was the best character in the movie (well, he is the protagonist after all). He had a clear motive to go against the "system". You could sympathise with him before and after the his change of view (I mean, living a "normal" life and want the freedom of the people). He had to endure a lot to get to be the man that was by the end of the movie, a brave soldier that can risk everything to get the better for everyone.

On the other hand Nic Vos was the least character that i liked and it wasn't because of the acting, it was because of the way he was. The actor did such a great job making me hate him. How do I know that? I couldn't stand that he was trying to get Patrick. He was such a horrible man, but a good antagonist.

3. What was the role of Samora Machel, the FRELIMO, and revolutionary Mozambique in the struggle against the South African apartheid? Use examples from the film and the biography of Samora Machel

Samora Machel was the first president of Mozambique after forming the FRELIMO, that was the Front of Liberation of Mozambique. In this case the island was being ruled by Portuguese that were abusing the people and he led the people into a guerrilla that ended up liberating that zone. We can compare the movement of FRELIMO to the ANC that wanted the liberation of Africa . Fun thing is that the protagonist (Patrick) ends up in Mozambique and Angola training for the purpose of fighting for freedom.