Sony Pictures Classics Takes Embeth Davidtz’s Directorial Debut ‘Don’t Let’s Go To The Dogs Tonight’

Anthony D'Alessandro
·2-min read

Sony Pictures Classics has picked up all global rights to Embeth Davidtz’s directorial debut, Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, which recently made its world premiere at Telluride.

The pic which Davidtz starred in and adapted from Alexandra Fuller’s memoir of the same name, follows 8-year-old Bobo on her family farm in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) at the end of the Zimbabwean War for independence (1979/1980).  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.

More from Deadline

Pic stars Lexi Venter, Zikhona Bali, Fumani N Shilubana, Rob Van Vuuren and Anina Hope Reed. The film was produced by Helena Spring, Paul Buys and Davidtz and executive produced by Anele Mdoda. The movie also played TIFF as a gala presentation and will next be seen at the Zurich Film Festival (October 3-13) in Switzerland.

Davidtz was born in the US, but raised in South Africa. Davidtz optioned the rights to the memoir eight years ago. She adapted the screenplay and chose to shoot in South Africa with an all South African cast and crew, including newcomer Lexi Venter, who the fimmaker cast after an extensive search specifically for an untrained child actor to ensure that the central character’s portrayal remained authentic. Davidtz as an actress starred in such movies as Oscar winner Schindler’s List, Bridget Jones’s Diary, The Amazing Spider-man 1 & 2 among several others.

“I am thrilled to be working with Sony Pictures Classics to bring Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight to audiences globally,” says Davidtz. “I previously worked with them when I starred in Junebug and saw their passion and skill for bringing that film to the world. It is like a dream come true that they are now distributing my screenwriting and directing debut–something I never would have imagined back then. The film is a tribute to all who have lived during difficult historical times.”

Added Sony Pictures Classics in a statement: “Embeth Davidtz has become a triple threat:  formidable director, screenwriter, and actress. Based on Alexandra Fuller’s bestselling memoir, Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight is a powerful, complete theatrical film experience that is beautifully directed and features one of the finest performances by a child you will ever see.”

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Latest stories