Virunga

"Conservation is war"

Nov 7 2014 Not Rated 1h 40m
Documentary, War

Virunga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is Africa’s oldest national park, a UNESCO world heritage site, and a contested ground among insurgencies seeking to topple the government that see untold profits in the land. Among this ongoing power struggle, Virunga also happens to be the last natural habitat for the critically endangered mountain gorilla. The only thing standing in the way of the forces closing in around the gorillas: a handful of passionate park rangers and journalists fighting to secure the park’s borders and expose the corruption of its enemies. Filled with shocking footage, and anchored by the surprisingly deep and gentle characters of the gorillas themselves, Virunga is a galvanizing call to action around an ongoing political and environmental crisis in the Congo.

Plot

In the forested depths of eastern Congo lies Virunga National Park, one of the most bio-diverse places in the world and home to the last of the mountain gorillas. In this wild, but enchanted environment, a small and embattled team of park rangers - including an ex-child soldier turned ranger, a carer of orphan gorillas and a Belgian 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 in May 2012, a new conflict threatens the lives and stability of everyone and everything they've worked so hard to protect.

Written by

Orlando von Einsiedel

Directed by

Orlando von Einsiedel

Cast

André Bauma, Emmanuel de Merode, Mélanie Gouby

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United Kingdom, Congo

Production Companies

Violet Films, Grain Media

Languages

English, Kiswahili, Français

Awards

Nominated for 1 Oscar. 42 wins & 28 nominations total

Trailers
Virunga Official Trailer 1 (2014) - Netflix Documentary HD
Virunga Movie - Official Trailer
Scores
# of Votes
12,480
Average Rating
8.1 out of 10
Metascore
95
Popularity
NA