Tim Robbins and Derek Luke head the cast in this political thriller based on the true story of Patrick Chamusso, an ordinary man forced to resort to terror. Tim Robbins plays a charismatic policeman who investigates Patrick and his family. Robbins' acting credits include roles in Clint Eastwood's Mystic River, for which he won a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award, Robert Altman's The Player, Frank Darabont's The Shawshank Redemption and Steven Spielbergs War Of The Worlds. As a director he made Bob Roberts and the acclaimed Dead Man Walking for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Direction. Derek Luke plays Patrick, the saboteur sentenced to 24 years imprisonment for his daring solo attacks against the brutal regime. His credits include Friday Night Lights and Antwone Fisher. The film also stars Bonnie Henna as Precious Chamusso.

Catch a Fire is directed by Phillip Noyce who has made significant and memorable films both in his home country Australia, including Newsfront, Heatwave, Dead Calm and more recently the award-winning The Quiet American and Rabbit Proof Fence; and in Hollywood, where he has directed Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger and The Bone Collector. Hotstuff is written by Shawn Slovo and produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Anthony Minghella and Robyn Slovo. Sydney Pollack serves as executive producer.