Virunga

I was struggling to find a film that was set during an African war to meet the criteria of my 2026 Goals list, but after a dive through some of the docs on Letterboxd, I came across this one, which was conveniently streaming on Netflix.

Virunga is an extremely engaging documentary surrounding the rising conflict within the Republic of Congo. It's a fascinating and equally troubling story about how gorilla conservationists and a lone journalist are the only things standing between M23 rebels and British oil explorers from taking over half of the Virunga National Park.

Some of the footage in here is shocking. It's surprising that, as dangerous as the circumstances were, they were able to get any footage. Several individuals put themselves in precarious situations just to get the truth out there and spread the word about this conflict. That has to be commended.

I'm really glad this documentary exists to put the spotlight on situations like this, so people, like myself, who knew next to nothing about the Congo, finally get a sliver of information about it.

Documentaries aren't really my thing, yet I really loved this one. It comes down to the editing and immersive camera use. The gorillas are also adorable, which helps a lot.

I highly recommend this one.

List: ***2026 Goals***

Last Review: ***First They Killed My Father***

I was struggling to find a film that was set during an African war to meet the criteria of my 2026 Goals list, but after a dive through some of the docs on Letterboxd, I came across this one, which was conveniently streaming on Netflix.

Virunga is an extremely engaging documentary surrounding the rising conflict within the Republic of Congo. It's a fascinating and equally troubling story about how gorilla conservationists and a lone journalist are the only things standing between M23 rebels and British oil explorers from taking over half of the Virunga National Park.

Some of the footage in here is shocking. It's surprising that, as dangerous as the circumstances were, they were able to get any footage. Several individuals put themselves in precarious situations just to get the truth out there and spread the word about this conflict. That has to be commended.

I'm really glad this documentary exists to put the spotlight on situations like this, so people, like myself, who knew next to nothing about the Congo, finally get a sliver of information about it.

Documentaries aren't really my thing, yet I really loved this one. It comes down to the editing and immersive camera use. The gorillas are also adorable, which helps a lot.

I highly recommend this one.

List: ***2026 Goals***

Last Review: ***First They Killed My Father***

Netflix capable de nous diffuser des documentaires nécessaires comme Virunga, merci !

Virunga nous plonge dans une RDC fracturée par son histoire et son actualité. Le fait de prendre le prisme de la conservation animale des gorilles du parc Virunga permet d’aborder des sujets comme la guerre civile du Nord-Kivu ainsi que la présence plus que discutable de multinationales occidentales en quête de ressources. 

SOCO, la compagnie pétrolière anglaise s’est d’ailleurs retirée du parc national suite aux pressions internationales que ce documentaire a suscité. 

Par ailleurs, le courage des rangers est parfaitement mis en scène dans l’intensité des combats entre l’armée congolaise et la milice du M23. Le témoignage de ces hommes ne peut nous laisser indifférent. 

Les plans sont soignés et nous offre des prises de vue exceptionnelles de la beauté du parc national et de sa biodiversité. 

Bref, un documentaire nécessaire qui met en lumière les attaques du groupe armé M23 en pleine insurrection. Les intérêts économiques de SOCO qui cherchait à exploiter le parc malgré son statut protégé. Et enfin les efforts menés par les rangers pour protéger la faune locale et plus particulièrement les gorilles de montagne. 

Merci à Di Caprio quand même de permettre la production de documentaires comme celui ci !

Et on oublie pas, FREE CONGO.

Netflix capable de nous diffuser des documentaires nécessaires comme Virunga, merci !

Virunga nous plonge dans une RDC fracturée par son histoire et son actualité. Le fait de prendre le prisme de la conservation animale des gorilles du parc Virunga permet d’aborder des sujets comme la guerre civile du Nord-Kivu ainsi que la présence plus que discutable de multinationales occidentales en quête de ressources. 

SOCO, la compagnie pétrolière anglaise s’est d’ailleurs retirée du parc national suite aux pressions internationales que ce documentaire a suscité. 

Par ailleurs, le courage des rangers est parfaitement mis en scène dans l’intensité des combats entre l’armée congolaise et la milice du M23. Le témoignage de ces hommes ne peut nous laisser indifférent. 

Les plans sont soignés et nous offre des prises de vue exceptionnelles de la beauté du parc national et de sa biodiversité. 

Bref, un documentaire nécessaire qui met en lumière les attaques du groupe armé M23 en pleine insurrection. Les intérêts économiques de SOCO qui cherchait à exploiter le parc malgré son statut protégé. Et enfin les efforts menés par les rangers pour protéger la faune locale et plus particulièrement les gorilles de montagne. 

Merci à Di Caprio quand même de permettre la production de documentaires comme celui ci !

Et on oublie pas, FREE CONGO.

Que difícil calificar, de las cosas más tristes de nuestro planeta es como los europeos jodieron y siguen jodiendo a muchas países africanos

Que difícil calificar, de las cosas más tristes de nuestro planeta es como los europeos jodieron y siguen jodiendo a muchas países africanos

I had to watch this for a class assignment. It is truly heartbreaking hoe far these people will go to save the gorillas and the national forest as a whole. It was interesting to see the perspectives of the journalist, main leader of the park, and the man who escaped the army to protect wildlife (just like his dad taught him🥲). With so much happening in the world, its devastating that conflicts like this get overlooked.

I had to watch this for a class assignment. It is truly heartbreaking hoe far these people will go to save the gorillas and the national forest as a whole. It was interesting to see the perspectives of the journalist, main leader of the park, and the man who escaped the army to protect wildlife (just like his dad taught him🥲). With so much happening in the world, its devastating that conflicts like this get overlooked.

Virunga is an incredible documentary about how people's greediness and lust for power and money affects and destroys lives, not just human but animals and the environment as well. It deals with corruption and some animal violence and it took me a whole day to power through it cause I kept pausing and crying :(

Virunga is an incredible documentary about how people's greediness and lust for power and money affects and destroys lives, not just human but animals and the environment as well. It deals with corruption and some animal violence and it took me a whole day to power through it cause I kept pausing and crying :(