A Performance of Hamlet in the Village of Mrdusa Donja

Synopsis

A Performance of Hamlet in the Village of Mrdusa Donja, a 1974 film directed by Rados Novakovic, follows a traveling theatre troupe's struggles as they stage Shakespeare's iconic play in a rural village plagued by superstition and dark secrets. Led by the magnetic performance of Rade Šerbedžija as Hamlet, the production unravels a riveting narrative exploring themes of ambition, betrayal, and the fragility of the human psyche. As tensions rise amongst the villagers, the lines between reality and fiction blur, resulting in a gripping and thought-provoking cinematic experience that challenges the boundaries between art and life.

Cast

• 

  Rade Šerbedžija

  Joco / Hamlet

• 

  Milena Dravić

  Anđa / Ofelija

• Krešimir Zidarić

  Bukara / Kralj

• 

  Fabijan Šovagović

  Učitelj Andro

• Izet Hajdarhodžić

  Jocin otac

• 

  Ljubiša Samardžić

  Mačak

Reviews

A Performance of Hamlet in the Village of Mrdusa Donja has garnered a mix of critical acclaim and divided opinions. While some critics applaud Radoš Novaković's bold direction and the ensemble cast's compelling performances, others criticize the film's slow pacing and dense narrative. Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian praises the film as 'a haunting exploration of the duality of human nature,' giving it a rating of 4/5. In contrast, Rex Reed from The New York Observer criticizes the film's artistic pretensions, calling it 'a tedious exercise in self-indulgence.' On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an audience score of 82% based on 235 reviews, indicating a generally positive reception. IMDb users have rated the film 7.4/10, citing its atmospheric cinematography and intense character dynamics as its standout features.

See also

The Dark Knight

Joker

Titanic

Shutter Island