{"id":3500,"date":"2025-07-06T00:27:31","date_gmt":"2025-07-06T04:27:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awfj.org\/cinema-citizen\/?p=3500"},"modified":"2025-07-06T00:48:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-06T04:48:10","slug":"dont-lets-go-to-the-dogs-tonight-movie-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awfj.org\/cinema-citizen\/2025\/07\/06\/dont-lets-go-to-the-dogs-tonight-movie-review\/","title":{"rendered":"DON’T LET’S GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT – Movie Review."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Don’t Let’s Go to the Dog’s Tonight<\/em> is a very compelling first feature from actor-turned-director Embeth Davidtz. Based on the personal memoire of Alexandra Fuller, the story is set in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) during the final stages of the Bush War. The tale is told from the perspective of Bobo, the eight-year-old daughter of White farmers who must leave the beloved land that their colonizing forebears have occupied for generations. Mom is a police officer and Dad is a soldier. They both wield guns and won’t hesitate to use them against feared terrorists. They’ve decided to abandon the farm because they feel unsafe. Bobo doesn’t understand the country’s complex political situation and she’s curious about the constant flow of reports about violent outbreaks throughout the land. She has questions about her identity as an African. Her parents deflect the questions she asks rather than answer them. She’s know she’s leaving the home she loves, will no longer have the routine of caring for the animals and, most significantly, will no longer have the company of Sarah and Jacob, the Black farm workers who do answer her questions as best they can, and whom she loves as dearly as — or perhaps more dearly than — she loves her parents.<\/p>\n

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As Bobo, first time actor Lexi Venter’s performance is vulnerably honest and absolutely gorgeous. Through her eyes, we see the devastating impact of civil war and violent upheaval have on an innocent child. Zikhona Bali as Sarah and Embeth Davidtz as Bobo’s Mother brilliantly embody the conflicting influences that shape Bobo’s perceptions. understanding and immediate future.<\/p>\n

Craft-wise, the film is exemplary. Cinematographer Willie Nel lenses wide shots of the the bush and lands intimate closeups of Bobo and the ensemble. Nicholas Costaras’ editing is smartly sharp and subtle and very well paced. Sets and costumes are beautifully fitting. All in all, Don’t Let’s Go to the Dog’s Tonight<\/em> is a beautiful watch.<\/p>\n

Don’t Let’s Go to the Dog’s Tonight<\/em> is a very poignant and authentic reveal of the complexity of race relations and ethnicity in an emerging democracy in Zimbabwe. In avoiding plot predictability, over much thematic angst and\/or stereotyping of characters, Don’t Let’s Go to the Dog’s Tonight<\/em> achieves a high level of honesty and authenticity that is provocative beyond what might be expected. It is profoundly affecting.<\/p>\n

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