STORYLINE: “Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight” thrusts us into the tumultuous world of 8-year-old Bobo, whose childhood unfolds on her family’s Rhodesian farm, now Zimbabwe, as the Bush War rages to its bitter end. Set against this violent backdrop, and seen through her eyes, we witness the family’s desperate attachment to Africa’s soil and the deep, festering scars of a war that reshapes both land and soul. (IMDb)

    Films come in all shapes and sizes.  There are the huge blockbusters as well as films that are fun for the whole family. Some films are designed to make the viewer laugh while others others are designed to scare those in attendance. There are also small, independent films.  It is here we find Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight.

      I have a love affair with independent cinena. That appertain came from working at an art house cinena for six years. Prior to that I enjoyed independent films but didn’t really seek them out.  Now they are a healthy part of my cinena glong diet. That is what put Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight on my radar, to see.

   Yes the film is based on a true story. The social issues that are facing the chareters have not changed in today’s society, years later. What fascinated me was the first hand perspective of these issues in another country. 

   It’s not just the racial and political issues that I am alluding to that are touched on the film but also mental illness. This is another touchy subject and the one done best in the film.  It is secondary to the other issues shown, so given less attention. I think this is why thought it was the most appealing to me, it wasn’t as dominating in the story. 

    As for the story itself, I found it to be slow paced, painfully slow paced at times.  The constant use of voiceover to convey the first hand experience is one of that faded out years ago. I didn’t see why it was necessary to bring it back for this film. I have not read the book but a, curious how much of the dialogue used in the voiceover was straight out of the book itself.

    What worked for telling the story was the cinematography.  I felt it captured the nitty, gritty of the area very well.  This was a great decision instead of scenic landscapes  you would find in such films as The Lion King.

   Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight is a slow movinig film with an imoortabt message.  Next time less voiceover.

    Until next time I will see you at the movies!