100 mins.
Documentary, War
November 7, 2014

Not Rated

“Virunga” tells a compelling story about the conflict between the illegal (according to the film) activities of a rebel army (M23) and a British oil company (SOCO International) on one side and the conservation efforts of rangers at Virunga National Park in eastern Congo on the other side. It tugs at the heartstrings when it focuses on the park: in particular, when it shows the special attention paid to the care of the mountain gorillas by André Bauma. The park is the last refuge for mountain gorillas; without it, these gorillas would be extinct. The shots of the park are wonderful.

In addition, the film spotlights the work of ranger Rodrigue Katembo and chief warden Emmanuel de Merode. Katembo, Merode, and the rest of the workers at the park put their lives on the line to protect it. (At the very beginning, we’re shown the funeral of a park ranger who did just that.) Their dedication is highlighted during a sequence at that end of the film that shows a rebel attack that spills into the park. The filmmakers were in the middle of it, giving us an up-close look. This is brave stuff. At the end of the film, we’re told that both Merode and Katembo were attacked by the rebels, presumably. (Merode was shot multiple times; Katembo was arrested and tortured for 17 days.) Thankfully, they survived.

This film may boil your blood when you witness the machinations of SOCO and the rebels to undermine the efforts of the park in order to get rich off of the resources available therein. They will stop at nothing (bribes included) to ensure that they prosper, as a result. Murder is of no consequence to them. In nothing short of a coup, the film tells the story of their plotting and tactics via footage from and interviews with journalist Mélanie Gouby. She should win an award, if she hasn’t already, for her courageous work. (Of course, SOCO has denied the allegations made by the film. This denial is included at its end. You may find that denial bafflingly familiar.)

With that said, I do wish that the film delved deeper into the context of these events. At its beginning, there’s a sequence that provides a timeline of what happened in the region before the events depicted in the film. But, by putting that at the beginning only, the importance of that sequence is somewhat diminished as the film progresses. The historical context is referenced in some of the interviews later on, but the message doesn’t come across as clearly and viscerally as it could have. I just wish that they had come back to footage from the past in certain spots to keep us connected to the full scope of the subject matter. In addition, if the film had come back to that footage, the connection between the region’s past and its potential future would have had much more of an impact. It would have evoked an even more visceral response.

So, the film doesn’t reach its full potential. However, it does come across as important, timely, and affecting. Cheers to that.

Verdict: Good to Very Good

About: (Source: virungamovie)

VIRUNGA IS THE INCREDIBLE TRUE STORY OF A GROUP OF BRAVE PEOPLE RISKING THEIR LIVES TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE IN A PART OF AFRICA THE WORLD’S FORGOTTEN AND A GRIPPING EXPOSE OF THE REALITIES OF LIFE IN THE CONGO.

In the forested depths of eastern Congo lies Virunga National Park, one of the most bio-diverse places on Earth and home to the planet’s last remaining mountain gorillas. In this wild, but enchanted environment, a small and embattled team of park rangers – including an ex-child soldier turned ranger, a caretaker of orphan gorillas and a dedicated conservationist – protect this UNESCO world heritage site from armed militia, poachers and the dark forces struggling to control Congo’s rich natural resources. When the newly formed M23 rebel group declares war, a new conflict threatens the lives and stability of everyone and everything they’ve worked so hard to protect, with the filmmakers and the film’s participants caught in the crossfire.

A powerful combination of investigative journalism and nature documentary, VIRUNGA is the incredible true story of a group of courageous people risking their lives to build a better future in a part of Africa the world’s forgotten, and a gripping exposé of the realities of life in the Congo.

From director Orlando von Einsiedel and executive producer Leonardo DiCaprio.