The 2024 movie Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, which is based on Alexandra Fuller‘s best-selling memoir, is a powerful adaptation. The movie tells the story of Alexandra “Bobo” Fuller as a child growing up on a farm in Rhodesia, which is now called Zimbabwe, during the last few days of the Rhodesian Bush War.
Davidtz not only directed the film but also co-wrote the screenplay with Fuller herself. The cast features Lexi Venter as the spirited young Bobo, Embeth Davidtz as Nicola Fuller (Bobo’s mother), Rob Van Vuuren as Tim Fuller, Zikhona Bali as Sarah, and Fumani Shilubana as Jacob. The ensemble also includes Anina Reed, Ilana Cilliers, Andreas Damm, Judy Ditchfield, and Kara du Toit.
WHERE WAS “DON’T LET’S GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT” FILMED?
While the story takes place in 1970s Rhodesia, the film was brought to life in South Africa—specifically in a small town on the outskirts of Johannesburg in 2023. This choice about how to film was both smart and creative. The production team was able to convincingly recreate the atmosphere of rural Rhodesia thanks to South Africa’s varied landscapes and colonial-era buildings.
Davidtz, who moved to South Africa when she was eight years old, used her own experiences to show what it was like to be a child in Africa. “There are a lot of similarities and differences between Zimbabwe and South Africa,” she said. “I really related to the central character of this young, spunky little girl.”
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Johannesburg has long been a favorite filming destination due to its versatile landscape, film-friendly infrastructure, and experienced crews. On the edges of Johannesburg, there is open farmland, dry land and rural scenes that remind you of Rhodesia in the 1970s. For these reasons, it was a great place to accurately recreate the setting of—Fuller’s childhood.
Johannesburg is still a place that filmmakers from around the world want to visit. Famous movies like Avengers: Age of Ultron and District 9 made good use of the city’s urban and suburban settings. Parts of “Malcolm X” and the local movie “Hear Me Move” were also filmed there, showing how movie-friendly the city is.
HOW THE LOCATION SHAPED THE LOOK AND FEEL
To recreate the look and feel of that historical era on a limited budget, the production team tapped into local thrift stores and antique shops to source period-appropriate furniture and props. Additionally, much of the authenticity was achieved through camera techniques. The crew used Blackwing7 lenses from Panavision, which added a nostalgic softness to the visuals, emulating the warm, slightly faded tones of photographs from the 1970s.
Davidtz shared in interviews that despite budget constraints, the team was able to bring the story to life using natural locations, clever lighting, and resourceful set design. Homes that had preserved their vintage aesthetics helped build the world, while the surrounding nature added a genuine touch to scenes involving farming life and Bobo’s untamed childhood.
Davidtz praised the cast and crew for their heartfelt performances and commitment to bringing this emotionally resonant story to life. “This incredible story has been brought to life by the richness of Southern Africa’s history and heritage. Our exceptional cast and production team have also been a pleasure to work with. I commend them for their remarkable dedication and heart,” she said.
While the real-life Fullers moved from Rhodesia to Malawi and then to Zambia after the war, the film stays rooted in the Rhodesian chapter of their story. By filming in South Africa, the team managed to honor that history while using the region’s cinematic potential to evoke both realism and nostalgia.
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