Stratford-upon-Avon, UK - The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust will co-host a special screening of the film Hamnet, adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s novel exploring the life of William Shakespeare’s family, the Trust announced today. The screening will take place at Shakespeare’s New Place in Stratford-upon-Avon on September 13th.
The event underscores the Trust’s commitment to illuminating the ancient context surrounding Shakespeare’s works and personal life, and highlights the region’s significance as a source of creative storytelling. Hamnet focuses on the playwright’s wife, Anne Hathaway, and the couple’s son, Hamnet, offering a humanizing perspective on the family behind the literary icon.
“As well as bringing to life the stories of the Shakespeare family, the film brings the cottage to life as [a] historical building wich has stood for centuries and of which we are all proud custodians,” said Trust representative Ms.North. “The cottage, and the story of hamnet, give us the human side of Shakespeare, Anne and their own family, and it will be wonderful to see that play out on the big screen.”
The film, directed by Chloe Zhao, draws inspiration from the life of Shakespeare and the West Midlands region. Martin Simms, sector lead at Production Central WM, lauded Zhao’s adaptation as “brilliant,” adding, “Our new dedicated film production office, Production Central WM, will help to bring more inspiring stories like Hamnet to life on the big and small screens by connecting industry professionals with the West Midlands’ diverse locations like the birthplace trust, as well as state-of-the-art facilities and top creative talent.”
