Inspired by Shakespeare’s play, this is a dance-on-camera film staged as classical ballet. As most of us know, the plot deals with the greed for power, and the will for revenge marred by indecision and leading to one of the bloodiest tragedies known. The adaptation of the play into a dance film results in a vital and dynamic piece, and characters such as Hamlet come across with an interesting slant. Here Hamlet is a young and rebellious Prince, eager to avenge his father and unseat his treacherous uncle Claudius. He is adeptly portrayed by Konstantin Kostuykov as he develops from a juvenile into a responsible adult facing some critical decisions, and as the effects of those decisions and unpredictable twists of fate result in an ever worsening situation. Hamlet, unlike his opponent cum uncle cum stepfather Claudius, is weak and inexperienced and is not backed by powerful friends, however it is also evident that they are alike in their loneliness; Hamlet is alone in conspiring to kill Claudius (discounting visitations from the ghost of his father), while Claudius is alone in his guilt. Especially thought provoking in this film is how the progression of Hamlet's revenge is charged equally by emotional and moral factors, while shunning the idea of Hamlet’s insanity and focussing on the force of the chain of events. DB
