Japanese filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s highly anticipated drama, “Evil Does Not Exist,” has secured North American distribution through Sideshow and Janus Films. This film marks Hamaguchi’s first feature since his critically acclaimed movie “Drive My Car” won the Best International Film Oscar. “Evil Does Not Exist” is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival before a special presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Written and directed by Hamaguchi himself, “Evil Does Not Exist” features a talented cast including Hitoshi Omika, Ryo Nishikawa, Ryuji Kosaka, and Ayaka Shibutani. The film is produced by Satoshi Takata of Neopa Inc. Additionally, Hamaguchi has reunited with Eiko Ishibashi, the composer of “Drive My Car,” for this new project.
The story of “Evil Does Not Exist” revolves around a father-daughter duo named Takumi and Hana, who reside in the picturesque Mizubiki Village near Tokyo. Living in harmony with nature and embracing a modest lifestyle, they are deeply connected to the village’s age-old traditions. However, their tranquil existence is disrupted when they learn about a glamping site that is planned to be built near their home. This luxurious retreat aims to attract urban dwellers seeking an escape to nature. As representatives from the glamping company arrive in the village for a meeting, it becomes evident that the project will have a detrimental effect on the local water supply, causing unrest among the villagers. The company’s plans not only threaten the ecological balance of the area but also jeopardize the traditional way of life of the locals. Takumi finds himself at the center of this conflict, and the aftermath deeply impacts his life.
The acquisition of “Evil Does Not Exist” sees Sideshow and Janus Films collaborating with Hamaguchi once again following the success of “Drive My Car.” The previous film was a significant achievement for both companies, becoming one of the first specialty box office successes after the COVID-19 pandemic. “Drive My Car” emerged as one of the highest-grossing international films in North America that year and garnered critical acclaim. It received an impressive nomination for Best Picture, making it the first-ever Japanese film to achieve this recognition. The film also received nominations for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay and ultimately won the Best International Feature category.
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Expressing their excitement about working with Hamaguchi again, Sideshow and Janus Films stated in a joint statement, “Hamaguchi is a true artist in every sense of the word, and we are so excited to be reuniting with him for ‘Evil Does Not Exist.’ Releasing ‘Drive My Car’ was the honor of a lifetime, and we know audiences will embrace his new powerful cinematic experience as they did his previous work.”
M-Appeal is handling international sales for “Evil Does Not Exist.” The film has already been sold to various territories, including Diaphana for France, Modern Films for the U.K. and Ireland, Tucker and Teodora for Italy, Caramel Films for Spain, September Film Distribution for Benelux, Andrews Film for Taiwan, and Leopardo Filmes for Portugal.
As audiences eagerly await the premiere of “Evil Does Not Exist,” the film’s themes of environmental impact, cultural preservation, and the clash between modernity and tradition promise to captivate viewers. Given Hamaguchi’s previous success and the growing anticipation surrounding this latest project, it is likely to make a significant impact on the international film scene.
