AllMovie

A small-time hustler thinks he's got a big score ahead of him if he can stay out of the way of some underworld rivals in this stylish action drama from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Riva (Patsha Bay Mukana) is a guy who is smart, ambitious, and willing to bend the rules, but he hasn't made much of a windfall from his talents until he pilfers a stockpile of gasoline from a group of Angolans. Since fuel is hard to find, Riva knows he can move the gas for a premium price; however, he's not the only one who is looking to make some fast money off the petrol; a gangster named César (Hoji Fortuna) soon turns up with his thugs, claiming ownership of the fuel and plotting violent revenge against Riva by blackmailing a local woman, Commandante (Marlene Longange). Meanwhile, Riva's eyes fall on Nora (Manie Malone), the mistress of local thug Azor (Diplome Amekindra), and he attempts to steal her away, thereby putting his own safety on the line. Viva Riva! earned enthusiastic reviews after its North American premiere at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival.