Cinematic Adaptation of Hamlet Was Filmed Entirely Within GTA 5

It is always interesting when players find an unusual way to interact with the video game world, and this example is one of the most peculiar and successful. Recently, two filmmakers have created a cinematic adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet in the world of one of the GTA games, which is coming to movie theatres in the US.

The directors, Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane, created the movie entirely within Grand Theft Auto 5. Grand Theft Auto Hamlet is a documentary about two unemployed actors who played GTA Online during the pandemic and came across a theatre within the game, which sparked the idea of filming a Hamlet movie inside the GTA game world.

The movie creators say that the movie touches upon the question of digital space's nature: "The documentary asks what is this space? How do we use it now, and what else is possible inside it? Can we transport this ancient story inside a brand-new one? And will it still make sense?" The directors point out the cinematic potential of Los Santos, "with its glittering, mind-blowingly detailed cityscape and surrounding countryside, the ray-traced rendering of light, ever-changing weather systems and intricate sound design."

They used an in-game phone camera, which allowed them to get close-ups and cinematic pans across landscapes, conveying the mood of pathos, emotion, and lyricism against the backdrop of the rushing GTA world.

Grand Theft Hamlet has been shown at several movie festivals, including CPH:DOX, Vancouver International Film Festival, and many more. The film was the winner in Documentary Feature Competition at 2024 SXSW Film Festival. It will be released in select theaters in the United States and via streaming globally.

Visit the film's official website and join our 80 Level Talent platform and our Telegram channel, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Reddit, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.