m-appeal_EVIL DOES NOT EXIST

EVIL DOES NOT EXIST

(Aku wa Sonzai Shinai (悪は存在しない))

by Ryusuke Hamaguchi

Japan, 2023, 106'

Urban ambitions clash with nature in a quiet village close to Tokyo

Takumi and his daughter Hana live in Mizubiki Village, close to Tokyo. Like generations before them, they live a modest life according to the cycles and order of nature. One day, the village inhabitants become aware of a plan to build a glamping site near Takumi’s house; offering city residents a comfortable ‘escape’ to nature. When two company representatives from Tokyo arrive in the village to hold a meeting, it becomes clear that the project will have a negative impact on the local water supply, causing unrest. The agency’s mismatched intentions endanger both the ecological balance of the nature plateau and their way of life, with an aftermath that affects Takumi’s life.

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Reviews

“a work of undeniable power”
“a movie that holds you tight in its grip right up to those jaw-dropping final moments”

“meditative and moving"

“a brilliant piece of work”
“Ryusuke Hamaguchi Delivers A Constantly Surprising, Intellectually Agile Film”

“an absorbing film of quiet power"

Awards

SILVER LION – Grand Jury Prize - Venice IFF 2023
FIPRESCI Award (Venice IFF 2023) - International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI)
Fondazione Fai Persona Lavoro Ambiente award - FAI Foundation 2023

Festivals

World Premiere: Venice IFF 2023 - Competition
Toronto IFF 2023
San Sebastian IFF 2023
New York FF 2023

Cast & Crew

With: Hitoshi Omika, Ryo Nishikawa, Ryuji Kosaka, Ayaka Shibutani, Hazuki Kikuchi, Hiroyuki Miura

Production company: NEOPA Inc., Fictive LLC
Producer: Satoshi Takata

Ryusuke Hamaguchi

Ryusuke Hamaguchi was born in Japan in 1978. In 2008, Passion, his master’s degree graduate work from Tokyo University of Arts, was selected at the San Sebastián International Film Festival and Tokyo Filmex. In 2015, his award-winning film Happy Hour premiered at the 68th Locarno International Film Festival. In 2021, Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the 71st Berlinale. At the 74th edition of Cannes, Drive My Car won the Screenplay Prize and three independent prizes, including FIPRESCI. The following year it received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.

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