Political thriller

Shawn Slovo and Robyn, the daughters of Joe Slovo and Ruth First, are making one of their father's wishes a reality. Before his death, he asked them to make a film about saboteur Patrick Chamusso. Filming started in South Africa recently. The film is directed by Australian Philip Noyce, whose credits include The Quiet American and Rabbit-Proof Fence. The lead role is played by Derek Luke, of Antwone Fisher fame. Oscar-winner Tim Robbins plays a police officer who investigates Chamusso. Hot Stuff, a political thriller, includes filming in Secunda, where Chamusso worked at Secunda Oil Refinery. He did not want to take part in the anti-apartheid movement, but one the day that he was absent from work, terrorists attempted to blow up the refinery. Chamusso had gone to watch his football team play in a final and to secretly visit the son he fathered with his ex-girlfriend. Niv Vos, a policeman, arrested him and two co-workers. During the interrogation, Chamusso does not disclose the alibi that could save him, until his wife is also arrested. He breaks down and confesses a lie, that he helped the terrorists. Vos sees through his confession and releases him. He returns home a changed man and joins the ANC, volunteering to destroy the refinery, earning him the code name Hotstuff. Vos learns of the plan and a manhunt begins. Chamusso manages to strike the plant and Vos captures him. Chamusso was sentenced to 24 years on Robben Island. He was released in 1991. Hotstuff is written by Shawn Slovo. Robyn Slovo is a co-producer. Shawn and Robyn were born in Johannesburg in the 1950s and moved to the UK in 1964 when the family went into exile. Shawn's adaptation of Captain Corelli's Mandolin was directed by John Madden in 2000. Robyn has worked for the BBC and was Head of Film at Company Pictures, an independent film and TV company in the UK.