Virunga

About Virunga

Virunga is a groundbreaking documentary film released in 2014 that falls into the social & cultural docs genre. It sheds light on the incredible story of the rangers at Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo as they risk their lives to protect the park's wildlife from poachers and armed militia.

Explore

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts

About

The documentary follows the struggles faced by the rangers, including their efforts to protect the critically endangered mountain gorillas living in the park. It also delves into the complex political and environmental issues surrounding Virunga National Park, highlighting the impact of oil exploration and exploitation on the park's future.

Making / Production

Virunga was directed by Orlando von Einsiedel and produced by Grain Media. The film was shot on location in Virunga National Park over the course of several years, capturing the raw beauty of the park and the challenges faced by its inhabitants.

Actors

• Emmanuel de Merode - Head Warden of Virunga National Park, played by himself
• Andre Bauma - Lead caretaker of the orphaned gorillas, played by himself
• Melanie Gouby - Journalist investigating the oil exploration, played herself

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Virunga National Park is Africa's oldest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The film received critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling and impactful message.
• Leonardo DiCaprio served as an executive producer on the documentary.

Quotes

• "These magnificent creatures can't speak for themselves, so they need people to speak for them." - Emmanuel de Merode
• "We talk about the cost to conservation, but we never talk about the benefit to conservation." - Melanie Gouby