Viva Riva!

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  • Opened June 10, 2011 (Limited 6/10)
  • 1 hr 36 min
  • R | Strong sexuality, graphic nudity, brutal violence, language and some drug use
  • Riva (Patsha Bay Mukuna) 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 petrol. With wads of cash and all out for a good time, Riva is soon entranced by the beautiful night club denizen Nora (Manie Malone), the kept woman of a local gangster. Into the mix comes Riva's Angolan crime lord ex-boss relentlessly seeking the return of a certain stolen shipment of gasoline.
    Note: Film is presented in Lingala and French with English subtitles. Full synopsis

  • Cast: Patsha Bay, Manie Malone, Hoji Fortuna, Marlene Longange, Alex Herbo
  • Director: Djo Tunda Wa Munga
  • Genres: Art House/Foreign, Drama

What's the Buzz?

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Fans say Go
6 fans
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Critics say Go
65 out of 100
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Fan Reviews

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by jkendall211

I'm not sure on the entire movie, but the trailer looks great!...

Go
Decent movie

by yabbadabbamoo

Basically an African "Reservoir Dogs"-type movie. Interesting to see Kinshasa, Congo as the listed site of the movie. Good carefree, I don't give a **** style acting by the lead character who...

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by RLJsax

VIva Riva is an excellent movie. Not a bad note to complain about. A must see movie!...

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Critic Reviews

88
Chicago Sun-Times
| Roger Ebert

A slick, exciting, well-made crime thriller, dripping with atmosphere. Read full review

80
The Hollywood Reporter
|

Driven by its charismatic upstart gangster protagonist Riva, the film is one joyride that knows it will careen into a spectacular crash. Djo Tunda wa Munga captures the particular vibe released by this mixture of carpe diem and self-destructive instinct. Read full review

80
Time Out New York
| Eric Hynes

The first major motion picture to come out of Congo in decades happens to be one of the best neonoirs from anywhere in recent memory. Read full review

75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
| Rick Groen

Martin Scorsese, meet Djo Tunda Wa Munga, because you obviously have a lot in common. Viva Riva! is nothing less than the Congolese Mean Streets, oozing sexual heat and brute violence and powered by a locomotive's worth of raw kinetic energy. Read full review

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Manie Malone as Nora in "Viva Riva!''