Viva Riva!

Viva Riva! is unique in both its gritty and frank depictions of the Congolese crime world and in its cinematic and technical beauty as a film originating from one of the poorest countries in the world.  Director Djo Munga's first feature tells the story of corrupt operator Riva looking to cash in on a secret stash of oil in the petrol-strapped city of Kinshasa.  Trouble looms for the protagonist as his previously spurned employer has military officers hot on his heels.

With raw portrayals of sex and violence, the film excels in the way it implicates all parties the nation’s corrupt self-destructiveness.  The film's depiction of life in the heart of Africa is unparalleled in its authenticity.

Print Source: Music Box Films, Suzanne Fedak, sfedak@musicboxfilms.com