World premiere of “His name was Hamlet”: Uzbek Film at 82nd Venice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival 2025 will host an extraordinary cinematic event: the world premiere of “His Name Was Hamlet”
(Ego zvali Gamlet), the debut film by Uzbek director German Sadchenkov.
Cinematographic event details
Date and Time: Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 6:00 PM
Location: Main Hall of Multisala Rossini Venice (San Marco 3997)
Event: World premiere in conjunction with the 82nd Film Festival
Language: Original version with Italian subtitles
Special guests and official delegation
The world premiere will feature:
- German Sadchenkov (director)
- Ruslan Saliev (producer)
- Selected cast members
- Official delegation from Uzbekistan
“His name was Hamlet”: first major uzbek cinematic Production of International Scope
The Uzbek film represents a historic milestone for Central Asian cinema, being the first and most important film production made in Uzbekistan in recent years.
Production and location details
Production Company: BWG Blue White and Green Production
Producer: Ruslan Saliev
Location: Entirely shot in Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Duration: 135 minutes
Country: Uzbekistan
Plot and artistic concept: a new interpretation of Hamlet
Genre and cinematic approach
“His Name Was Hamlet” presents itself as a black comedy proposing a revolutionary reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s masterpiece. Director German Sadchenkov has developed an innovative approach that deconstructs the original drama without modifying its fundamental plot.
Film synopsis
The protagonist is a theater director in creative crisis, whose complex works no longer resonate with contemporary audiences. Immersed in a declining artistic world where “there are no flesh-and-blood heroes, real villains, or authentic feelings,” the main character plunges into the depths of his own subconscious.
Key narrative elements:
- Conflict between high art and commerciality
- Transposition of Shakespearean characters into contemporary reality
- Exploration of the relationship between artistic creator and modern society
- Psychological metamorphosis of the protagonist into Hamlet
Artistic and narrative innovations
First time in Cinema history: female horatio
For the first time in cinematic history, the character of Horatio is interpreted by a woman, actress Tatiana Grigorieva. This directorial choice emphasizes the character’s ambiguity and offers new interpretative perspectives on the Hamlet-Horatio relationship.
Multiple literary influences
The screenplay, developed by the director over more than five years of work, integrates:
- Original Shakespearean tragedy
- Platonic dialogues
- Final tribute to Dante’s Divine Comedy
“His name was Hamlet”, cast and crew: international talents for Uzbek Cinema
Main artistic cast
Mikhail Safronov – Hamlet (protagonist)
Tatiana Grigorieva – Horatio (revolutionary interpretation)
Nastasya Kerbengen – Ophelia
Anna Bagmet – Gertrude, the Queen
Evgeny Kamenkovich – The Ghost
Marifathon Umarova – Ophelia (additional role)
Professional technical staff
Direction and Screenplay: German Sadchenkov
Director of Photography: Vlad Doroshev
Editing: Lee Mon
Production Design: Oleg Upilkov
Original Music: Oleg Vasiliev
Costume Design: Elena Chugunova
German Sadchenkov: profile of the Russian-Uzbek director
Educational and professional background
German Sadchenkov (born 1963) represents a multifaceted figure in the international artistic landscape:
Academic training:
- VGIK Cinema School (Moscow)
- GITIS Theater Institute (Moscow)
- Specialization in Italy at Opera Line Bologna (Musical Theater Direction)
Theater and film experience
Prestigious theater collaborations:
- Moscow Academic Operetta Theater
- Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Academic Music Theater
- Moscow City Ballet
- Trinity Films
Selected filmography
Sadchenkov boasts over 30 documentaries on history and current affairs, many made in Italy-Russia co-production:
Recent significant works:
- “When Death Came to Baghdad” (2022) – Fiction
- “Opera Assoluta. Masterpiece” – Theater documentary featuring international art personalities
- “The Sound of Drops on Glass” (2019) – Fiction
Cultural significance: Uzbek Cinema on the international stage
The world premiere of “His Name Was Hamlet” represents a historic moment for Central Asian cinema. The presence at the Venice Festival confirms growing international attention toward film productions from emerging countries in the global audiovisual landscape.
Impact for the uzbek film industry
This Uzbek film marks a significant turning point:
- First Uzbek production of international caliber in recent years
- Visibility opportunity on the European scene
- Cultural bridge between East and West through universal cinematic language
The world premiere of “His name was Hamlet” by German Sadchenkov will take place on August 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM at Multisala Rossini – San Marco 3997, Venice
