Something is rotten in Shakespeare’s Denmark, where political intrigue swirls around the imperial court. Amid it all, the queen’s brightest lady-in-waiting, Ophelia (Daisy Ridley Star Wars, Murder on the Orient Express), finds herself drawn to Hamlet (George MacKay, who broke through in 2014 British comedy Pride) the charismatic and elusive crown prince. As their clandestine love affair takes flight, betrayal strikes the court, threatening to derail their union and devastate the royal family. Caught between her desires and her loyalty, Ophelia has to decide where her devotion will ultimately lie.
This remarkable retelling of Hamlet promises to charm fans of the seminal work and newcomers alike, as it manages to infuse a fresh and empowering perspective into one of the most renowned stories of all time. Adapting Lisa Klein’s eponymous novel, director Claire McCarthy crafts an intricate historical world that exudes romance, deception, and spirit. Featuring a stellar British cast including Tom Felton and Clive Owen, Ophelia plucks its titular character from literary slumber and firmly places her centre stage, where she belongs.
Tuesday 23rd October
114 min
M
Film Festival
