Virunga: Conservation is War - A Review

Virunga is a rare gem that concerned citizens around the world should lap up wholeheartedly because it depicts what would have been impossible to access without generous helpings of luck. To begin with, the film maker gives a whole new meaning to the idea of being in the right place at the right time and secondly, persisting with the story in the middle of brutal conflict requires the sort of daredevilry that comes with extreme sports experience which this director had in his prior career. Some stories are just way too important for audience to ignore because they represent the essence of life, they question why we live and bring forth what we should die for. Virunga is one of those stories.

Conservation is THE epic problem to tackle for our post modern industrial society. Virunga movie refers to one of the most crucial and stunningly gorgeous eponymous national parks in the world that is also one of the last 4 resorts for Mountain Gorillas (our closest cousins after Chimps). The beauty captured by the gradual camera movement in panoramic shots alone is worth dying for. This park is cursed by its location on the border of 3 countries marred by deep conflict - Rwanda, DRC and Sudan. Sudanese and DRC rebels have repeatedly sought to occupy the park. Caught in the middle of poachers and rebels are some of the most dedicated and heavily armed park rangers in the world. Having visited National Parks in Tanzania and interacted with rangers and locals, I could grasp and believe their deep affection for the park and importance of its conservation. Wait a second, its not over yet. Add to this fiery cocktail, a shady oil corporation with questionable past seeking to probe for oil and you have the makings of a Hollywood thriller. Only this time, its a moderate budget documentary. This time, its real and its apocalyptic predictions of our planet's demise are not random conspiracy theories but result of scientific observations.

Despite this heady mix of depression inducing drama, its actually a inspiring film primarily due to director's focus on personal value system of the true heroes of the film - The Park Rangers. The music inspires introspection and nostalgia and has continued to haunt me.

The film is part political drama, part military conflict and part call for conservation.
Go Watch it Now on NetFlix.