European and Asian audiences are eagerly anticipating the premiere of Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s new drama, “Evil Does Not Exist,” at the upcoming Venice Film Festival. The film has already garnered attention from buyers, with several distribution deals already closed.
M-Appeal, a Berlin-based sales agent, has successfully secured distribution deals for “Evil Does Not Exist” in various territories. Ama Films will handle the film’s release in Greece, Lev Cinemas has acquired the rights for Israel, and Cineworx will distribute the film in Switzerland. Njutafilms will handle distribution in Scandinavia, including Iceland, partnering with local label Another World for releases in Denmark and Norway. In Hong Kong, Edko Films, a long-time distributor of Hamaguchi’s films, will handle the local release.
Mandy Lam, the general manager of sales and acquisitions at Edko Films, expressed the strong bond between the local audience and the director, stating, “Having released almost the entire oeuvre of Hamaguchi in Hong Kong, we feel like we have established a unique and personal relationship between the local audience and the director.”
M-Appeal has also successfully closed deals for North America, partnering with Sideshow and Janus Films for distribution. In Canada, Films We Like will release the film, while Diaphana will handle distribution in France. Pandora has acquired the rights for Germany, Caramel Films for Spain, and GreenNarea for Korea, among other territories.
After its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, “Evil Does Not Exist” will make its North American debut at the Toronto Film Festival. It will then be showcased at the New York, San Sebastian, and BFI London film festivals.
The film is set in a peaceful village surrounded by nature and follows the story of Takumi and his daughter Hana. However, their idyllic world is threatened when they discover plans to construct a glamping site nearby. The arrival of two company representatives from Tokyo further reveals that the project will negatively impact the local water supply, leading to a clash between the villagers and the outsiders.
“Evil Does Not Exist” is a collaborative project between Hamaguchi and composer Eiko Ishibashi, who previously worked together on “Drive My Car.” The film premiered at Cannes in 2021, where it received critical acclaim, winning the coveted Best Screenplay award. It continued its success by winning the Oscar for Best International Feature.
With its compelling storyline set in a picturesque village, “Evil Does Not Exist” has captured the attention and anticipation of audiences and distributors alike. The film’s distribution deals across Europe and Asia ensure that it will reach a wide audience and further solidify Hamaguchi’s status as a talented director. As the film journeys through various prestigious film festivals, it is expected to captivate and engage audiences worldwide.