Virunga Movie Review

Virunga is a tantalizing and thought-provoking documentary portraying an in depth view of the conflicts in the Congo, told from the perspectives of a journalist covering the story and the park rangers who are protecting Virunga park.  This park is unique because it is the only natural habitat of a certain type of gorilla, which are endangered and are quickly dying out.  It is also home to many other forms of wildlife which the park rangers have sworn to protect with their lives.  The British company SOCO is attempting to exploit the natural resources, namely oil, of the land in the Congo which includes areas of the park.  This would displace the gorillas and other animals in the area, and destroy a beautiful and awe-inspiring piece of nature.  A rebel group has since risen up in the Congo in order that this company might take over the land.  This group, M23, have displaced thousands of individuals and families because of their fighting, and have killed almost 130 park rangers since 1996. 

In the movie, we get an insider look of the conflicts that have ensued, and we see the effects that is has had on the local people and the environment.  SOCO has denied any illegal movements or wrong-doings, but through the use of undercover interviews in this documentary, we see the true nature of it's employees.  They downplay the importance of the park in order that they might receive more support for their endeavors.  SOCO and M23 are motivated by money and power and give no thought to the repercussions.  But the people of Virunga know the real story.  They understand the beauty of the park and the need to protect the natural inhabitants.  They are willing to and have given their lives in order to save the home of these gorillas.

This movie gives these people a voice.  It gives them the power to spread their story to the rest of the world in order to raise awareness to the crimes against the country and against nature itself that SOCO is trying to commit in the Congo.  Virunga is a powerful documentary.  Maybe, hopefully, it will help save this beautiful park and its primate inhabitants.