From the moment Salt Rock actress Lexi Venter emerges from candlelight in the opening shot of Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, it is clear her face is one to remember.

The talented nine-year-old leads the film adaptation of Alexandra Fuller’s memoir of the same name, which had its South African premiere at the Durban International Film Festival at Suncoast Casino last Saturday. Remarkably, the film marks the big screen debut for Lexi and the directorial debut for Embeth Davidtz, who also wrote and starred in the film.

Told through the eyes of young “Bobo” (Lexi), the film explores the turmoil as Zimbabwe transitioned from colonial rule to independence in 1980. Bobo is the youngest surviving child of a white farming family unwilling to accept the change, with her father Tim (Rob van Vuuren), an army reservist, and mother Nicola (Davidtz), an alcoholic, each spiralling in their own way.

Bobo’s older sister, Vanessa (Anina Reed), also has local ties. Although Anina hails from Cape Town, her Ballito-based grandmother, Margie Reed, proudly attended the premiere on Saturday to support her granddaughter’s big-screen debut.

Despite the hardened, occasionally hateful outlook of her parents and their community, Bobo looks at the world with open-heartedness and youthful empathy. Lexi plays the role with sensitivity and grace, anchoring a film that otherwise may otherwise have been a difficult sit.

“It became clear to me, in the ugliness of what I had to show, that I had to show it through a beautiful lens,” said Davidtz at the premiere.

“So, I had to find the most special child with a sunny disposition and a cinematic face.”

That child was Lexi, cast through an open audition in 2023 when she was just seven. Though new to film, she had stage experience in ballet and took to the role naturally during filming near Johannesburg.

“What surprised me is how many people are involved to make a movie and how many times we had to retake the same scene!” said Lexi.

“It was very easy because Embeth was there to help me and everyone was so kind. It was just lovely being on set.”

Lexi’s entire family played a part. Her mother Vanessa helped supervise, her fether Riaan filmed a few shots, her brother Logan acted and did stunt-double work and even her dog Shadow appeared on screen as Bubbles.

Filming was not without its challenges and Lexi remembers a few scenes being particularly difficult.

“There was one was when I was on a horse and the dog was barking and Nicola was screaming and shouting and the horse was turning and twisting and it was so hard to do and I had to remember my lines. It was just crazy!” she said.

“Most of it came naturally, but the sad scenes were pretty difficult for me. I thought of my rat dying because she passed away.”

Lexi’s performance has received widespread praise and she is already auditioning for other projects.

Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight will screen at Nu Metro at Ballito Junction from this Friday, July 25.

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