From PAPERMAG.com:
Actress Manie Malone is experiencing quite a few firsts right now.
Born in Africa and raised in France, she studied Spanish at the Sorbonne, and only dabbled in modeling and acting before starring in her first big feature, 'Viva Riva!' (incidentally, the first film made in the Democratic Republic of Congo in over two decades). And when the 28-year-old answers the phone with great élan -- "Allo!" -- it's for her, you guessed it, first interview ever.
Written and directed by Djo Tunda Wa Munga, 'Viva Riva!' is a noirish crime thriller, set against a fuel crisis and ensuing gang war in the Congo. The movie, which recently won Best Picture at the 2011 Africa Movie Academy Awards, is the story of Riva, a foolhardy small-time gangster on the lam after having stolen a truckload of gas from his merciless Angolan boss. Riva meets and falls in love with Nora (Malone), a woman who, despite her own troubles, has incredible resolve.
Read more here.