Team Deakins EMBETH DAVIDTZ - Actor / Director
Jan 7, 2026
Embeth Davidtz, acclaimed actor from Schindler's List and director of Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, shares captivating insights about her creative journey. She discusses adapting Alexandra Fuller's memoir, drawing parallels between her youth in South Africa and the film's themes. Hear her behind-the-scenes stories, from casting child actors to handling a monkey break-in on set. Embeth also reflects on how budget constraints can drive creativity and reveals her plans for future projects, blending her passions for acting and directing.
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Childhood Shapes Storytelling
- Embeth Davidtz moved from the U.S. to South Africa at eight and read voraciously to escape isolation on a dusty farm.
- Those early experiences shaped her storytelling instincts and later acting career.
Writing Led To Directing
- Embeth spent five to six years adapting Alexandra Fuller's memoir, repeatedly cutting and reshaping the story to focus on the child's point of view.
- Her deep involvement in writing gave her the blueprint and confidence to direct the film herself.
Self-Funded Risk Pays Off
- Embeth financed much of the $1.2M film by combining personal savings, her acting earnings, and her husband's support.
- She accepted the financial risk without expecting a release, and Sony Pictures Classics later acquired it.
