Preview

Grand Theft Hamlet

+  BSL-interpreted Q&A with filmmakers Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane

(with subtitles for the D/deaf and those experiencing hearing loss)

A version of Hamlet produced exclusively within the video game Grand Theft Auto – it’s an unlikely combo that is, by turns, singularly funny and deeply affecting.

  • Director-screenwriters

    Pinny Grylls, Sam Crane

  • With

    Mark Oosterveen, Sam Crane, Pinny Grylls

  • UK 2024. 91min

  • Digital 2K

  • Certificate

    15

  • Languages

    English, Spanish, Arabic

  • With English subtitles

January 2021. The UK is in its 3rd lockdown and all entertainment venues remain closed. For theatre actors Sam and Mark, the future looks bleak. As the pandemic drags on, Mark – single and childless – is increasingly socially isolated, while Sam panics about how he is going to support his young family. They spend their days in the online digital world of Grand Theft Auto and when they stumble across a theatre, they suddenly have an idea to stage a full production of Hamlet within the game.

This film charts their ridiculous, hilarious and moving adventure as they battle violent griefers, out to kill them in-game, and discover some surprising truths about life, friendship and the enduring power of Shakespeare, shot entirely within Grand Theft Auto.

This special preview presentation will include an in person Q&A hosted by Mia Bays, Director of Filmmaking Fund BFI, with both filmmakers Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane.

The Q&A will be British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted. As our auditorium is so large, we recommend moving nearer to the front for this part of the event – after the film has finished – if you require a better view of the BSL interpreter.

Supported by the BFI Doc Society Fund, awarding National Lottery funds.