Leonardo DiCaprio partners with Netflix for documentary about gorillas

BEVERLY HILLS , Calif., Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Netflix says it is teaming up with actor, producer and philanthropist Leonardo DiCaprio to release Virunga, a documentary about park rangers in Africa and the endangered mountain gorillas they protect.

Orlando von Einsiedel directed the Appian Way Productions project. DiCaprio is an executive producer on the film, which will open in select theaters in Los Angeles and New York Nov. 7, the same day it will be available for streaming on Netflix.

"Films like Virunga are powerful stories that are a window into the incredible cultural and natural diversity of our world, the forces that are threatening to destroy it, and the people who are fighting to protect it. Partnering with Netflix on this film is an exciting opportunity to inform and inspire individuals to engage on this topic,"” DiCaprio said in a statement.

"“Leo intuitively understands that there is nothing like the power of film to reach people’'s hearts and minds,”" added Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. “"With Virunga, we'’ll work with Leo to introduce viewers around the world to an incredible, gripping story that will have audiences guessing right up until the final act.”"