DON’T LET’S GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT SYMPATHIZES WITH COLONIAL SETTLERS
In 1980 the voters of Rhodesia vote for independence, soon becoming Zimbabwe. The film Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight features a British family that has been occupying a farm in the African land, with African servants, but property that has to be sold before inevitable confiscation. To gain sympathy for their plight, director Embeth Davidtz focuses on interactions of 8-year-old Bobo (Lexi Venter) with Africans and her family, based on a memoir. British families also demonstrate their joy of living under colonial protection during evening get-togethers. Africans state their views at various points in the film, providing more context for Bobo than she receives from her family. MH