“Virunga” is the Oscar-nominated documentary about wildlife conservation efforts at Virunga National Park, home to about one-third of the world’s last-remaining mountain gorillas. Located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa, the park is home to a range of species, including the critically endangered mountain gorilla, hippopotamuses and rare birds, as well as a diversity of habitats, from forests and savannas to swamps, mountains and active volcanoes.

Focusing on the park rangers and care takers who work hard to keep the park and the gorillas safe from poaching, corporate interference and war, the film is a riveting piece of cinema that crosses themes of conservation, human conflict and corporate greed, all connected by a simple, heartwarming tale of gorilla conservation.

Released in April of last year, the film focuses on four men who work within the park, and one French investigative journalist covering political events in the Congo. Through each of these individuals, we get a look at the heart and soul of the park from wide angles.

In 2012, the director of “Virunga” set out to film the efforts of the rangers in Virunga National Park. Arriving during a time of instability in the country, it wasn’t long before he and his crew were caught in the middle of a violent uprising. These and other events happening at the time persuaded the director to change the scope of the film to include the different layers of issues that face the park, including both past and present threats to the park and its mission.

In addition to poaching and armed rebellion, one of the more modern threats to the park comes from SOCO International, a British oil company that was attempting to explore for oil dangerously close to the national park. Though it is illegal to drill for oil in the park, the area around the park is often unstable due to warfare and poverty, leading park officials to worry that it would be easy for a foreign business interest like SOHO to take advantage of its natural resources, which could exacerbate conditions in the area for locals, and the wildlife that call the 3,000-square-mile park home.

“Virunga” is an expose on the fragility of nature that highlights both the best and worst of humankind. With its multi-faceted approach, covering conservationism, undercover journalism, corporate corruption, war and humanitarian generosity, “Virunga” is anything but a simple documentary, yet the plot is strikingly cohesive and easy to follow. This is because the film never loses sight of its vision, which is to give exposure to the park rangers, collaborators and journalists who maintain their integrity in a world of corruption, and the endangered animals they fight for.

With its harrowing drama, heartfelt mission, and gorgeous cinematography, “Virunga” is one of the must-see documentaries of the last year. It’s gripping, action-packed and visceral, full of harrowing human and animal drama alike. Add to that, breathtaking shots of the Congo’s wildlife and varied landscapes and you have a winning picture, as well a true contender in the Oscar race for best documentary feature.