Told from the rose-colored glasses of an inquisitive child’s perspective, this would never work without a very strong child actor to anchor it.  The story is presented on the platter of childhood innocence, ignorance, and wonder with an astonishingly talented first-time child actor.

As adults watching the film, it’s easy to pinpoint the racist dynamics that stress the country. But in this film, they run through the background as context, as our protagonist does not fully understand them. What lies in the forefront is how children see things.

The film is an adaptation of a memoir of the same name, telling the story of Rhodesia’s (now Zimbabwe’s) civil war in which two nationalist groups sought to overthrow the minority British colonial rule over the country and restore power to native Africans.

Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight is the kind of bold swing with difficult material that will earn your respect. 

South Africa 

English, Shona - with English subtitles

1 hour and 39 minutes