Written & Directed by: Embeth Davidtz
Starring: Lexi Venter, Embeth Davidtz, Zikhona Bali
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.
Starring: Lexi Venter, Embeth Davidtz, Zikhona Bali
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.
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00The country we live in was called Rhodesia, but then some Africans said they found a first
00:08and the Euro stole from it.
00:10Twelve whites were murdered with a knife.
00:12But then those Africans turned into terrorists and that's how the war started.
00:17I keep a lookout for terrorists.
00:19Watch out!
00:20Big storm is coming.
00:21This better hold on.
00:22Big storm is coming.
00:24This better hold on.
00:31Sorry about the mess.
00:32Can you have Jacob bring me my tea please?
00:37On our farm we live with Sarah and Jacob.
00:40Tell me a story.
00:42Once upon a time everyone got along with everyone else.
00:46All of nature has one family.
00:49Ma'am, am I African?
00:51No, papa.
00:52Is it because we don't have brown skin?
01:04There's still Rhodesia in my eyes.
01:06Bring on the bloodshed if that's what they want.
01:08I've got enough ammo for a world war.
01:13Ma'am says she'll die for the slum.
01:16Who said you could come on the slum?
01:17This is my farm.
01:18I believe her.
01:22Are we racist?
01:24What?
01:25Certainly not.
01:26What sort of people are we then?
01:37Africans have eyes to see what the whites cannot see.
01:42These people know what we're doing so you just better bloody watch yourself.
01:47I'll never leave here and you'll never leave me.
01:51This is how the story ends.
01:53All our lives we are kissed with separation and loneliness and longing.