VIVA LA RIVA

Congolese producer/writer/director Djo Tunda Wa Munga’s directorial debut, Viva Riva!, follows the exploits of Riva (Patsha Bay), a young, charismatic thief with a truckload of stolen fuel he intends to sell in his corrupt, gas starved hometown of Kinshasa, DR Congo.

Riva soon finds himself in the center of an underground war ignited by the fuel shortage in the Congo, when he is pursued by Cesar (Hoji Fortuna), the white-suited, merciless Angolan, whom he ripped off.  Cesar is determined to capture Riva by any means necessary. To further complicate things, Riva falls for Nora (Manie Malone), the girlfriend of Azor (Diplome Amekindra), the city’s most notorious crime boss.

Manie Malone, Djo Tunda Wa Munga and Patsha Bay at the film's screening 

Munga offers viewers a glimpse into a world driven by money, excess, and greed, while addressing the socioeconomic and political strife of the Congolese people, with great honesty and candor, making Viva Riva! a gem worth watching.