Paul Mescal played William Shakespeare in Chloe Zhao’s film ”Hamnet”
Paul Mescal and Jesse Buckley in Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet
Paul Mescal played William Shakespeare in Chloe Zhao’s new film Hamnet, where his partner was Jesse Buckley, who played the role of Agnes, the playwright’s wife. The plot is based on Shakespeare’s bitter family tragedy, which involves the death of his son, Hamnet.
This project was Chloe Zhao’s debut in the genre of historical drama. The film was based on the novel by Maggie O’Farrell, which used a more linear narrative structure in the script. The author of the book also participated in the writing process of the script.
The film was produced by the famous Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes, and the cinematographer was Lukasz Zal. The premiere of Hamnet will take place in September at the Toronto Film Festival, and the film will be released in US cinemas on November 27.
Chloe Zhao has a unique approach to her projects, choosing not to have a clear ending. She trusts her acting teams, nature, and her own instincts. At the end of the film, a scene is set that recreates the 17th-century Globe Theater, where the actors perform a fictional version of Hamlet. Hundreds of extras were involved in the filming. Buckley admitted that at first she felt lost on the set.
The first days of filming in the theater were impressive and unforgettable for her. At the moment when the whole action took place in the place where Hamlet once appeared, the actress felt a massive emotional flow.
According to the director, trust in the creative process always leads to something significant. As a result, the film’s finale turned out to be so touching that many viewers could not hold back their tears.
Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, which became the basis for the film, has won acclaim for its in-depth exploration of the great playwright’s family history. The plot centers on the relationship between William and Agnes, their love, and the loss of their son, which may have influenced the creation of Hamlet.
When Zhao first heard about the project, she was hesitant to take on the project, as she had never worked in the genre before. But after meeting Mescal and Buckley and reading the novel, she knew how to tell the story.
Zhao was struck by the book’s style, which closely resembled her cinematic vision. She decided to preserve the emotional aspect of the story while making the narrative more accessible. The film features Shakespeare more prominently, but the author focused on Agnes.
“It will be a story of two people finding a way to understand each other,” Zhao added.
The film’s choice of language, costumes, and sets is not always historically accurate, but the spirit of the era is vividly conveyed. Zhao describes “Hamnet” as a fairy tale for adults, emphasizing that true fairy tales do not avoid darkness and complexity. The film’s opening scenes are striking with the beauty of the surrounding nature and the exquisite camerawork of Łukasz Zhal, creating an atmosphere of new love and hope.
