By Malice Intended
Every culture on the planet has a tradition of paying tribute to its criminal class in some way. Movies immortalize outlaws in a way that no other medium can. Foreign crime films have the added novelty of voyeurism for Western audiences, who are always game to indulge the darker side of life in a far off place. Now, the Congo has decided to display its seamier side with Viva Riva!
Viva Riva! Tells the story of Riva, a small time outlaw who returns to his homeland of Kinshasa, Congo. He brings with him a king’s ransom of hijacked petrol, more than enough to earn him a place of honor in the Congolese underworld. He soon comes upon the perfect woman to complete his newfound success in Nora (Mannie Malone). Unfortunately, the beautiful songbird is the property of Kinshasa’s reining crime lord. Riva pursues her anyway, just as another dilemma rears its head: The Angolan to whom the stolen gasoline belongs has come to reclaim what’s his.
Viva Riva! Is the first film to come out of the Congo in twenty years. It was directed by Djo Tunda Wa Munga in a style that appears to owe more than a bit to Fernando Meirelles City of God. However, as the trailer progresses, Viva Riva’s true cinematic lineage is revealed. It is very much film noir, replete with all the necessary trappings. It presents the audience with a hero who keeps tempting fate even though he’s already in over his head. It also has the seductive woman who proves to be much more trouble than she’s worth.
The visual style apparent in the trailer will go a long way in selling the film to Western audiences. It offers two distinctly different yet effective approaches to crime cinema. The opening images emphasize a gritty pseudo documentary feel. At the midpoint, the nightlife of Kinsasha is slickly put on display. Djo Tunda Wa Munga understands the sometimes difficult language of noir quite well and looks to tell his story in a way that will resonate with outsiders.
Viva Riva! will begin screening in American theaters on June 10th. Of course, it won’t sell nearly as many admissions as J.J. Abrams Super 8, which opens on the same day. This is one situation where counter programming offers a true alternative to what the mainstream has to offer. Viva Riva! promises excitement of a different brand than American blockbusters have to offer. That’s a very good thing, as movie goers can always use more choices.
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