The actor Tom Felton, who portrayed Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies, is confirmed in the cast of Ophelia, film inspired in Hamlet, by William Shakespeare. He takes the role of Laertes, the protagonist’s brother, who gives the name to the production. The film hit the theaters on June 28, 2019, in the United States.
The film is also inspired by the homonymous book written by Lisa Klein, a specialist in reimaging Shakespeare’s masterpieces. The story, which takes places in Century XIV, is told from Ophelia’s point of view, Hamlet’s lover and potential wife. Hamlet is known by the line “to be or not to be, that is the question”. Although having a minor role, Felton’s character has an essential role in the plot’s development, on the vengeance planned against Hamlet.
The change in the narrative perspective is one of the differences between the film and Shakespeare’s play. In the original, Hamlet’s voice is predominant in the course of the events. In the film, who takes this role is Ophelia.
The first trailer was released on April 30. Tom’s character appears quickly and says to his sister: “these are strange times in this castle, be afraid”. Watch it below:
The movie, directed by the Australian Claire McCarthy, from The Waiting City and The Turning, premiered in 2018 at the Sundance Film Festival, an important event for independent cinematographic productions.
Translated into English by Caroline Dorigon
Edited by Aline Michel
