At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, two actors Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane lost their jobs and found solace in playing Grand Theft Auto Online. The documentary, recorded entirely using the game interface, follows their journey to attempt to perform Shakespeare's Hamlet with other players on the server.
Sa kasagsagan ng COVID-19 pandemic, dalawang aktor na sina Pinny Grylls at Sam Crane ang nawalan ng trabaho at nakatagpo ng aliw sa paglalaro ng Grand Theft Auto Online. Ang dokumentaryo, na buong naitala gamit ang game interface, ay sumusubaybay sa kanilang paglalakbay upang subukang itanghal ang Hamlet ni Shakespeare kasama ang iba pang mga manlalaro sa server.
The film's official page gives more insight into the decision to use virtual space as a setting: “It's innovative and important – especially in a time when more and more parts of our lives (even a cultural artifact as iconic of live theater) is moving online. The documentary asks what is this space? How do we use it today and what else is possible with it? Can we move this ancient story within a new story? And will it still make sense?”
The film held its US premiere at SXSW 2024 and won the Documentary Feature Jury Prize at the Austin, Texas film festival. In the UK, the film was released in cinemas on December 6 and was also selected at the BFI 2024 Film Festival. American audiences will be able to see the film in select theaters starting January 17, 2025.
Watch the full trailer above. Tickets for US screenings are expected to be available closer to the release date.
