Grand Theft Hamlet

Two unemployed friends decide to do something unique: to stage Shakespeare's immortal classic, HAMLET, inside the video game GRAND THEFT AUTO. The result is fascinatingly imaginative.

Actors Sam and Mark spend most of their time during the coronavirus lockdown playing video games. Their primary way of passing the time is the ultra-violent game Grand Theft Auto. However, when they find an abandoned amphitheater inside GTA, they get a unique idea: what if they stage Shakespeare's Hamlet inside the game? The search for other players willing to join quickly turns into several rounds of auditions, and it soon becomes clear that there is no shortage of enthusiasm for the crazy project. But is it possible to stage the entire immortal classic without being shot by random passersby or the police? Unlike anything you've seen, the result is a unique film about escapism, art, and friendship.

Conversation // Level Up

Ahead of the screening of GRAND THEFT HAMLET on Tuesday, 27.08.24, there will be a live podcast recording organized by Level Up. Rune Fjeld Olsen, Karl-Martin Hogsnes and Mattis Folkestad will have a conversation about «Machinima» – using the game world to create film productions.

Director

Sam Crane (b. 1979) and Pinny Grylls (b. 1979) are a British director duo. They are known for co-directing Grand Theft Hamlet. Crane is also recognized as an actor, known for roles in films such as Napoleon (2023), and Grylls previously directed the short documentary Peter and Ben (2008).

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