Mubi Obtains Distribution Rights for Documentary Filmed in GRAND THEFT AUTO

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As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt and a keen interest in both Shakespearean drama and video games, I find myself intrigued by the unique fusion of these worlds presented in “Grand Theft Hamlet”. Having followed Sam Crane’s illustrious career on stage, from Jacques-Louis David in Napoleon to his current role as Harry Potter in Cursed Child, it’s fascinating to see him apply his acting prowess in such an unconventional setting.

Movie provider and streaming platform Mubi has secured the rights for Subscription Video on Demand to showcase “Grand Theft Hamlet“, a documentary revolving around two jobless actors who strive to stage a performance of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet“, but with an unexpected twist – the entire production takes place within the video game “Grand Theft Auto“.

A married couple, Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls, penned and guided the making of a film that debuted at South by Southwest’s Film & TV Festival and received the documentary feature jury award. This movie will also make its UK premiere on Oct. 15 at the British Film Institute’s London Film Festival. In addition, their Hamlet production within the game was honored with The Stage Innovation Award in 2023.

A performer named Crane has been acting on stage for more than two decades, and at present, he is starring as Harry Potter in the West End version of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child“. Previously, Crane made an appearance in Ridley Scott’s film “Napoleon” as Jacques-Louis David.

In a new twist, “Grand Theft Hamlet” marks Grylls’ debut full-length documentary. Interestingly enough, her earlier short documentary, “Peter and Ben,” was likewise showcased at South by Southwest. Throughout her career, Grylls has directed and edited documentaries for the BBC, BFI Doc Society, The Guardian, among others. Moreover, she is a co-founder of the Birds Eye View Film Festival, an initiative that supports filmmaking from women and non-binary creators.

In January 2021, amidst the pandemic lockdown, actors Sam and Mark turned to playing “GTA” as a means to break free from social seclusion. This game offers players the chance to explore an open world and engage in activities ranging from its namesake grand theft auto to tennis matches. As they navigated through this virtual world, their creative minds led them to contemplate setting up a performance within the game. The story of “Grand Theft Hamlet” chronicles this unique endeavor. This idea deviates significantly from the typical objectives of the game, adding an element of fascination.

Mubi has acquired both the U.S. theatrical release rights and global streaming rights for the movie “Grand Theft Hamlet.” In an effort to expand its theatrical reach, Mubi has recently distributed films such as Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance.” Furthermore, Mubi has just signed a multi-region deal for Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film titled “Queer,” starring Daniel Craig. While A24 will handle distribution within the U.S., Mubi has secured distribution rights for the film in countries including the UK, Ireland, Canada, Latin America, Germany, Turkey, India, and more.

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2024-10-11 02:32