Review of Virunga (2014) by Mike S — 25 Apr 2016

"Virunga" Film Review.

"Virunga" is a critically acclaimed Netflix original documentary that originally began streaming on November 7th, 2014. The film is directed and written by Orlando von Einsiedel and executive produced by Leonardo Dicaprio. Upon being released "Virunga" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Einsiedel's film is an eye opening presentation of the ongoing civil war and state of flux within the Congo of Africa. In the middle of the controversy is the beautiful Virunga National Park, Africa's oldest park, which is home to the final 800 remaining mountain gorillas in the world. Typically, the primary issue the Virunga Park Rangers would have to fight is that of poachers who wish to capture and sell young gorillas. Unfortunately, they are met with darker forces. The park rangers must simultaneously battle an onslaught of M23 rebels as well as SOCO International attempting to infiltrate the park and strip Virunga of oil and other natural resources. Throughout the documentary they follow gorilla caregiver Andre Bauma, head park ranger Rodrigue Mugaruka Katembo, chief warden Emmanuel De Merode, and the French investigative journalist, Mélanie Gouby and showcase the events through their eyes.

To begin, "Virunga" was a beautiful and powerful documentary in all aspects, filled with suspense, heroes, cringe worthy villains, and wildlife alike. The beauty of the environment and the wildlife within is on full display with fantastic camera work. I realized how important Virunga was to the Congo from an economic standpoint as they trudge through constant warfare and try to rebuild. Due to this the beauty and caring of the people within Virunga is second to none. From the four fearless main characters to the incredibly courageous park rangers risking their lives I was left in awe. The conservation efforts of the people are truly inspiring and admirable as they fight to protect their home, the innocent endangered mountain gorillas and their environment. Andre Bauma, the gorilla caregiver, amongst the main characters perfectly represents all of the love and pain that drives the film. As a gorilla caregiver he devotes his life to Virunga and the gorillas and as he suits up for war with the approaching M23 rebels he states, "You must justify why you are on this earth - gorillas justify why I am here, they are my life. So if it is about dying, I will die for the gorillas." I found it to be one of the most memorable and touching quotes I have heard in my life. This documentary left me pulling heavily and caring deeply for the prosperity of Virunga against all odds. I'd imagine any viewer would have this same response, which makes this documentary so extraordinary.

At first my, only gripe with the documentary was the fact that it took nearly half of the playing time to fully grab my attention. What I did not realizing was that the first half was simply setting the groundwork to pull me in once all things eventually fell down. I was drawn to the characters, the park rangers and the people of Virunga alike. I valued how much they cared for everything within Virunga, especially the innocent gorilla inhabitants of the park, as their population is dwindling down. As action incited I realized the emotional connection to those great people and the wildlife made me that much more inclined to despise the villains. Whether it was the SOCO oil company, the M23 rebels, or the crooked Virunga workers accepting bribes I found them all to be evil on some level. Both sides displayed how the beauty of nature is constantly in decline due to the greed of the corporations and ongoing corruption.

As New York Times Jeanette Catsoulis states, "Villains, it seems, are everywhere, but it's the film's heroes who stick in the mind: Andre Bauma, the gentle ranger who would die to protect the orphaned gorillas in his care; Emmanuel de Merode, the park's soft-spoken Belgian warden, whose astonishing courage calms everyone around him; and Rodrigue Katembo, a section chief trying to gather evidence of illegal oil company activities." I can wholeheartedly agree with this. The main characters that drive the documentary truly are the most lasting aspect. I can't say that I will ever forget them or the events they outline. They all put their lives on the line in order to protect Virunga. They're all as spectacular as this documentary is.

All together, "Virunga" is a powerhouse of a documentary that perfectly showcases the beauty of all things that inhabit Virunga National Park and the pain brought by the warfare, greed and corruption that is constantly ongoing. "Virunga" is powerful beyond belief and has no glaring weaknesses. This documentary is undoubtedly one the best I've viewed thus far, and told an incredible story that seemingly flies under the radar. As I'm Imagining these events taking place in the Congo unraveling in my own backyard I'm left both grateful and filled with sorrow. I would recommend this to any viewer who cares for the well-being of the environment and the people of this world alike. A viewer with such an outlook will be left with a lasting memory from the events that are taking place within the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Virunga National Park.