Grand Theft Hamlet – Hot Docs 2024
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April 25 to May 5, 2024
FILM FESTIVAL
Hot Docs
Hot Docs 2024
PROGRAMME
Nightvision
British actors try to stage a full production of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the world of Grand Theft Auto Online in Grand Theft Hamlet. Unable to find acting roles during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sam and Mark spend their time playing Grand Theft Auto Online. While running from the in-game police, Sam stumbles upon and Vinewood Bowl area of the map and decides they should try staging a play in the virtual location. With Sam’s filmmaker girlfriend Pinny documenting the action, Sam and Mark begin to audition other players for their production of Hamlet.
Grand Theft Hamlet Synopsis
Grand Theft Hamlet is a Machinima documentary directed by Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls. Shot entirely in the world of Grand Theft Auto Online, the film documents the efforts of Sam and his friend Mark Oosterveen to put on a full-scale production of Hamlet. Originally relegated to the Vinewood Bowl stage, the production soon covers the entirety of the virtual city of Los Santos, with Sam and Mark joined by fellow actors and a few unique characters, such as the alien-skinned Tunisian player ParTeb and BT Raiderz, who always arrives at the right time, becoming the de facto stage manager.
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There is inherent comedy in trying to put on a production of Hamlet in the world of Grand Theft Auto Online, as auditions and rehearsals are always marred by other players trying to kill the actors, resulting in the standout character of ParTeb being assigned as a bodyguard hovering around in a fighter jet. However, Grand Theft Hamlet also has dramatic moments, as there is concern about the production taking over Sam’s life in the real world, while Mark is happy that this is something to keep him occupied during COVID-19 unemployment. Overall, Grand Theft Hamlet is quite an entertaining documentary utilizing the in-game Machinima filming style.
Trailer for Grand Theft Hamlet – Hot Docs 2024
