Grand Theft Hamlet
A documentary about two British out-of-work actors attempting the impossible task of mounting a full production of Hamlet inside the ruthless world of Grand Theft Auto. As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, Mark, who lives alone, is increasingly socially isolated, while Sam is panicking about how he will support his family. They channel their frustrations by immersing themselves in the ferocious, yet beautifully rendered virtual world of Grand Theft Auto online. In one gaming session they stumble across a theater and have an idea: Why not stage Hamlet inside the game? Wasn’t theater just as dangerous and rowdy a business in Shakespeare’s time, and isn’t Hamlet, a play about revenge, the perfect choice for this place? Grand Theft Hamlet won the 2024 SXSW Grand Jury Award.
Tickets
- $9 general admission; $7 MFAH members, students with ID, seniors (65+)
Plan Your Visit
- This screening takes place in Brown Auditorium Theater in the Law Building.
- Parking Information | Museum Hours | MFAH Campus Map
Underwriting for the Film Department is provided by Tenaris and American Friends of Fundacion Proa Inc., The June Leaf and Robert Frank Foundation, and the Vaughn Foundation.
Generous funding is provided by The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea; Foundation for Independent Media Arts; Nina and Michael Zilkha; Lois Chiles; Franci Neely; Carrin Patman and Jim Derrick; Ms. Laurence Unger; and ILEX Foundation.
Grand Theft Hamlet
Directed by Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls
(UK/USA, 2024, 89 minutes, in English)
Brown Auditorium Theater, digital