Hamlet

Synopsis: Independent Serbian feature film. A version of Hamlet set in a city garbage dump in contemporary Belgrade. Two conflicting gangs, Orthodox and Muslim, fight over the control of the distribution of garbage. They live in present-day Serbia. The winter is harsh, Shakespeare’s castles are dilapidated ‘houses’ built in a night. After his brother’s death, Jova marries his late brother’s wife Yelena (Hamlet’s mother) and takes over a gang controlling the trade on the dump. The ghost of Hamlet’s father wanders about on the dump seeking revenge. Except for two professional actors all the characters are played by Roma, many of them acting for the first time - and speaking their own language.
Language: Romany
Country: Serbia
Medium: Film
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Year of release: 2007
Availability: No distributor found (6/2007).
Notes: The film is in the Romany language and was premiered with Serbian subtitles.
Subjects: Drama
Keywords: Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Untrained actors