Viva Riva

``Viva Riva,’’ is a highly Westernized African film which doesn’t include one positive, good, ethical character in a major role.  It is a lose story following the violent adventures of a gas / oil broker and His LOVe of a – typically – light-skinned Black woman whose boyfriend is a neighborhood thug. Set in Kinshasa, Congo == the story falls apart before it even starts, but is well-acted, considering what they had to work with, by a troupe of actors working hard to put forth a Western, Americanized flair to their style.

     One scene has another violent thug telling Riva His Country  -- Congo – is a pile of crap and may have been better off as a victim of Portuguese colonialism. A view I take deep issue with.

     Overt politics are non-existent here, but the quest for oil is at the base of the poorly contrived plot. Money, money, money it seems is still at the root of some evil.

    There is no one here to take up the mantel for decency, incorruptibility, honor, fair play, loyalty and Peace.

     I really hate to say this, but ``Viva Riva,’’ is a mimicking of ``Good Felloes’’ and ``Pritzie’s Honor’’ and other all-too-violent films by directors like Martin Scarsazie and Brian Depaulma. I expect a great deal more from my African Sisters and Brothers.

However, they need more than one chance to make such films and I Pray more come down the pike, but with more decent Black characters.