Viva Riva! (2011)

Someone did their homework in this brilliantly acted existential film; a sexually charged safari into the Kinshasa black market; a world of bandit capitalists looking for the contraband long deal in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, creating a new sub genre- African film noir...gritty, real, dark and poignant, where anyone who knows movies beyond the entertainment spectrum is going to find this bit of creative genius to be a damned fine piece of work which evidences an eye for nuance about the human condition as experienced in any 3rd World country where poverty is endemic and the struggle for survival is more than a party game.

While this movie might not stand out as an original, the story of decay, corruption and lust for Africa's resources is well told. I have tried to look for biographies on the actors with little success. If the movie was made with virtual unknowns I am doubly impressed.The plot moves well with good screen chemistry for the actors. The sex scenes are among the best I've seen anywhere and the joy Riva brings to the screen and those he interacts with is refreshing.There is the ultimate feeling of Grecian tragedy. You know deep down things won't end well. His death at the end is one of the most heroic and carefree ways of going I've yet seen.The movie showcases the best of Africa (unbridled enthusiasm and live-a-day-at-a-time philosophy) alongside the worst (lust for power and resources, invasive western influence, etc)It's a wonderful movie in my opinion. I would have awarded it more than a seven but for the originality bit. It's stereotypical but the tale is well told. Kudos to this Director.

I haven't watched too many African films, and I don't mean to just lump them in with foreign films, but I love how this movie didn't try to dub in English or anything like that which would ruin the movie for me. The french dialect was cool to listen too, the subtitles made perfect sense and were easy to read. With that consideration handled so well the movie is free to shine on its own right. As I'm sure that others have said this movie does have intense violence and sexual scenes that may not be for your mother, but I don't want you to get the impression that the movie is all about debauchery and violence. There's also themes of strong family loyalty, and what leverage these loyalties can provide to an enterprising bad guy. Honestly the setting strikes close to home, with the gas shortage and skyrocketing prices, times are desperate and people feel pushed to live life to the fullest. Without this setting I don't think the movie could have take these characters to such an amazing place on screen.

A total action packed thriller with ruthless violence and exotic sex scenes! It follows the story of Riva, a charismatic young man who stole fuel from a gangster, his chase for Nora, a vibrant woman who is already dating another gangster, and a gangster's chase for Riva to try and get his money back. The movie successfully portrays the levels of violence people in the Congo can reach when stuck in a country ravished by poverty, corruption and hopelessness. It shows how the violent lust for money and power can lead to your doom. As we see in the end all the gangsters chase for money leads them nowhere but to their dead end. When the young boy pretends he is driving away with the money at the very end I got the feeling that it was supposed to symbolize that history repeats itself and that money is an evil tool that can take over anyone's life, even a young boys. Its an in your face look at the extreme brutal reality in the Congo, that makes you think and keeps you on your toes!