What to watch: Virunga Movie

You guys.

YOU GUYS.

I just watched Virunga, a Netflix movie about a National Park in the Congo that protects wildlife and specifically tree gorillas and the oil reserve that's suspected to be below the lake. It's absolutely affecting. And it's nominated for best documentary for the Oscars

Please make the time to watch this movie. And don't double-task while you're watching--it deserves your full attention.

VIRUNGA IS THE INCREDIBLE TRUE STORY OF A GROUP OF BRAVE PEOPLE RISKING THEIR LIVES TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE IN A PART OF AFRICA THE WORLD'S FORGOTTEN AND A GRIPPING EXPOSE OF THE REALITIES OF LIFE IN THE CONGO.

In the forested depths of eastern Congo lies Virunga National Park, one of the most bio-diverse places on Earth and home to the planet’s last remaining mountain gorillas. In this wild, but enchanted environment, a small and embattled team of park rangers - including an ex-child soldier turned ranger, a caretaker of orphan gorillas and a dedicated conservationist who’s a member of the Belgian royal family - 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, a new conflict threatens the lives and stability of everyone and everything they've worked so hard to protect, with the filmmakers and the film’s participants caught in the crossfire.

A powerful combination of investigative journalism and nature documentary, VIRUNGA is the incredible true story of a group of courageous people risking their lives to build a better future in a part of Africa the world’s forgotten, and a gripping exposé of the realities of life in the Congo.

From director Orlando von Einsiedel and executive producer Leonardo DiCaprio.

Here's the movie website, for more information.

Some highlights for me (to be read after you watch!):

Seeing the gorillas play and get scared and get annoyed when breakfast isn't on time just makes me think, they're just innocent animals that deserve every opportunity. It's our job to support the rangers who take care of them and to help preserve this amazing and impressive park. 

Watching the park workers interact with the gorillas (Andre Bauma in particular), interact with the community, and plan how they're going to save the park just shows me how resilient and hopeful people of the Congo are. They don't bow down to the threats by gangs, insurgents, or international companies with vast influence. They see how special and important their park and the wildlife is and give their lives to protect it. One of the park officials even video tapes the interactions he has with people trying to bribe him- Rodrigue Katembo is a hero. He puts his life on the line in order to get evidence. The park warden, Emmanuel de Merode, is a thoughtful, courageous leader. I wondered at the beginning about a white man running the park in the Congo, but his compassion, humanity, and ability to stand up for the park made me see he's a great leader.

The journalist who also uncovers the corruption, Melanie Gouby, was shockingly young and brave. She too taped interviews with business leaders from SOCO, the company exploring the oil fields in Virunga that has possibly led to violent conflict. Her bravery made me worried about her, and then jealous that she was so much more courageous than I am. 

This NYTimes article has some interesting backstory.

I'm feeling inspired. I donated to the cause and am trying to figure out how to make sure my 401K doesn't have stock in SOCO... 

Watch the trailer here: