In a surprising artistic twist, Grand Theft Auto V has evolved from a crime-driven simulator into a platform for creative expression and innovation. One such project is “Grand Theft Hamlet,” a documentary film that blends Shakespeare’s classic tragedy with the virtual world of GTA Online. Directed by Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane, the film follows two actors as they attempt to stage Hamlet inside the game during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Having premiered at the SXSW Film Festival earlier this year, where it won the documentary feature jury award, “Grand Theft Hamlet” has gained significant attention. The COVID-19 lockdown presented filmmakers and actors with significant challenges, making traditional theater productions impossible. Actors Sam Crane and Mark Oosterveen were left without a proper stage.
Collaborating with Grylls, they turned to Grand Theft Auto V as their alternative medium. Joining them were Tilly Steele as Ophelia and Gareth Turkington as Claudius, among others. The official synopsis for the documentary reads, “January 2021.
The UK is in its third 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 theater, 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 and discover surprising truths about life, friendship, and the enduring power of Shakespeare.”
This isn’t the first time filmmakers have used video games as a creative tool. The genre known as Machinima has long experimented with in-game footage to bring unique films and stories to a wider audience.
GTA meets Shakespeare in unexpected ways
Reflecting on past successes, the web series “Red vs. Blue,” created by Burnie Burns in 2003 and based on the video game Halo: Combat Evolved, became a global hit.
The documentary not only addresses the technical challenges but also the obstacles posed by the game’s inherent violence, as actors face griefers trying to disrupt their art. After its SXSW debut, “Grand Theft Hamlet” also screened at the BFI London Film Festival on October 15, further expanding its audience. Art house streamer and distributor Mubi has acquired all U.S. rights, as well as exclusive global SVOD rights, to “Grand Theft Hamlet.” The film will have its U.K. premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on October 15, followed by a special presentation at BFI Imax on October 20.
Mubi plans to release “Grand Theft Hamlet” in early 2025, with further details to be announced. “Grand Theft Hamlet” was financed by BFI Doc Society, Park Pictures, Altitude, and Spark Features. Altitude Film Sales are handling world sales on the documentary and negotiated the deal with Mubi.
The acquisition is the latest in an art house buying spree for Mubi, which is expanding its core streaming business with a robust theatrical slate in multiple territories. The group recently tested the domestic waters with the release of Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance,” starring Demi Moore, which has grossed close to $10 million to date in the U.S.
Mubi recently signed multiterritory deals for two buzzy titles out of the Venice Film Festival, including Luca Guadagnino’s Daniel Craig-starrer across several territories and Alex Ross Perry’s music documentary in all rights deals for the U.K., Germany, France, and Canada among others. Other recent acquisitions include Andrea Arnold’s and Magnus von Horn’s “The Girl With the Needle,” both Cannes titles.
The film’s creators expressed their vision in a statement on the project’s website, emphasizing the groundbreaking nature of “Grand Theft Hamlet” as a cultural artifact during a time when much of the arts have moved online. They highlighted the cinematic potential of Los Santos with its detailed cityscapes, ever-changing weather systems, and intricate sound design. While Mubi has not announced a specific release date for the film, it has confirmed that “Grand Theft Hamlet” will arrive on its streaming platform and in theaters sometime in early 2025.
The next screenings are set for October 15 and October 20. The documentary raises intriguing questions about the use of digital spaces in storytelling and the potential to reinterpret ancient narratives within modern virtual worlds.
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