THE PLOT THUS FAR
Riva is a small time operator who has just returned to his hometown of Kinshasa, Congo after a decade away with a major score: a fortune in hijacked gasoline. Wads of cash in hand and out for a good time, Riva is soon entranced by beautiful night club denizen Nora, the kept woman of a local gangster. Into the mix comes an Angolan crime lord relentlessly seeking the return of his stolen shipment of gasoline. Director Djo Tunda Wa Munga s Kinshasa is a seductively vibrant, lawless, fuel-starved sprawl of shantytowns, gated villas, bordellos and nightclubs and Riva is its perfect embodiment.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
A small time hustler and thief returns to hometown and promptly falls for gangster’s girl. Gangster notices and gets upset. Meanwhile the thief is being tracked down and targeted for revenge by the guys he stole from…and those guys are not playing around, they’re way more dangerous then the flashy gangster. Film works really well to a point. That point would be the last twenty or so minutes where the plot threads that have been forming the whole time finally come together but they don’t exactly merge the way you’d like them to.
When resources are scarce, the black market adds value to the catastrophe and violence ensues. There has been created something that borders on Shakespearean and noirish here. It’s a gutpunch addition to the gangster genre. It’s even more impressive for standing up against big-budget action fare while remaining driven by entangled ambition. These characters are ultimately all looking out for their own skin, but though their actions seem heartless, they also feel necessary. That being said, it works as a great Third World gangster flick. I know that most of you have seen “Tsotsi”, but this will work as a great counterpoint. Give it a shot when it streets this Fall. I’m not sure if an HD presentation offers that much to it, but it looks good for what it is.
The DVD comes with an interview with the director, a short film and a theatrical trailer. The original language track is saved in Dolby 5.1 and it sounds great. Plus, you get a supportive transfer. I really wish that more people will take the time to watch it on Home Video. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!