DON’T LET’S GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT

Embeth Davidtz |
South Africa |
2024 |
98Min |
English, Shona
Based on Alexandra Fuller’s memoir of the same name, DON’T LET’S GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT captures the childhood of 8-year-old Bobo on her family farm in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) at the end of the Zimbabwean War for independence in 1980. Growing up in the midst of this long running war, Bobo internalizes both sides of the struggle. Conflicted by her love for people on opposing sides, she tries to make sense of her life in a magical way. Through her eight-year-old gaze we witness Rhodesia’s final days, the family’s unbreakable bond with Africa, and the deep scars that war leaves on survivors.
Embeth Davidtz
Helena Spring, Paul Buys, Embeth Davidtz
Willie Nel
Embeth Davidtz
Lexi Venter, Embeth Davidtz, Zikhona Bali, Fumani Shilubana, Rob Van Vuuren, Anina Reed

Screenings

19 Jul 19:00 Suncoast 6
27 Jul 19:00 Pavilion 12

2 Aug 19:30 The Bioscope, 2 Aug 19:30 The Labia

Embeth Davidtz

Embeth Davidtz is an American-South African director, writer, producer and actress with an illustrious career spanning decades in film and television. Most recently, Davidtz made her directorial and screenwriting debut with DON’T LET’S GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT based on Alexandra Fuller’s New York Times Bestselling memoir of the same name. The film, in which Davidtz also stars, thrusts us into the tumultuous world of 8-year-old Bobo, whose childhood unfolds on her family’s Rhodesian farm as the Bush War rages to its bitter end. The film was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics and is set to release July 11, 2025. Drawing inspiration from her own upbringing in apartheid South Africa, Davidtz brings an authentic perspective to the film, using the viewpoint of a young girl to depict the harsh realities of growing up amidst familial strife and the ongoing racial conflict. The film had its world premiere at the 2024 Telluride Film Festival, also screening at the Toronto International and Zurich film festivals to rave reviews. Variety declared Davidtz’s debut “a masterclass in storytelling,” and The Hollywood Reporter called the film “near perfection,” praising Davidtz as a “visionary director.” Over the years, Davidtz has built a career defined by versatility, seamlessly moving between independent gems, major studio films and television series. Past credits include SCHINDLER’S LIST, ARMY OF DARKNESS, THE GINGERBREAD MAN, BICENTENNIAL MAN, MATILDA, FALLEN, MANSFIELD PARK, BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY, JUNEBUG, FRACTURE, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, OLD, IN TREATMENT, CALIFORNICATION, MAD MEN, RAY DONOVAN and THE MORNING SHOW.