Grand Theft Hamlet

It’s the pandemic, and a couple of actor friends are playing Grand Theft Auto Online together. They discover a big open air stage in the map and it inspires them to cast, rehearse and stage a production of Hamlet inside the game.

Shot using only footage from inside GTA, this is on the face of it a novel and funny ode to the joys of online gaming - cleverly seen through the eyes of people who don’t take it too seriously.

Then it changes gear and explores just what can be achieved through simple motions and the power of good delivery. In the right hands Shakespeare really does come alive and I was surprised at just how effective some of the scenes were here inside a video game.

By framing it as a ‘making of’ documentary the film makers open up a few more avenues to go down. Loneliness in the pandemic. The beauty of spontaneous relationships. What happens when someone accidentally rocket launchers the crowd.

A surprising, hilarious and touching film I’d highly recommend seeking out.