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Parents' Guide to

Virunga

By Renee Schonfeld, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Outstanding but shattering docu set in war-torn Congo.

Movie NR 2014 97 minutes
Virunga Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 16+

Based on 2 parent reviews

age 16+
age 15+

Excellent Documentary about War Threatening Park in Congo Which Harbors Endangered Gorillas

The documentary presents the dedicated individuals working in a large park and wildlife preserve in eastern Congo. A particular focus is on those working with the endangered Mountain Gorillas. One ranger cares for four orphaned gorillas. War has been ravaging the region for decades. Valuable natural resources have fueled the conflict. The film manages to make all this fairly understandable.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (1 ):

The violent and corrupt morass of Congo is at the heart of this outstanding film. What was planned as documentation becomes actual war footage. The filmmakers become inadvertent heroes themselves as they risk all to film and report the tragedy and heroism taking place before their eyes. Exceptional editing, photography, in-depth interviews, and music contribute to the viewers' understanding of these events. Sequences intercutting the telegenic gorillas with their caregiver; the hurried preparations for the onslaught; and then the war itself are powerful and heartbreaking. The facts are undisputable as reported in this important film. Virunga is not to be missed by those who appreciate terrific filmmaking as a way to dispense critical information.

Movie Details

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