In September, Ryusuke Hamaguchi premiered “Evil Does Not Exist” at Venice. The film now has a trailer. Janus Films has also set up a May 3, 2024 release for the film.
Apparently, there was a block of Venice jurors who fought hard for Hamaguchi’s film to win the Golden Lion over Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things.” Alas, it didn’t prevail, ending up with the Grand Jury Prize (Second Place) instead.
“‘Evil Does Not Exist,” which I saw at the Festival Du Nouveau Cinema, is a slow-burn that rewards the viewer’s patience with a stunner of an ending. There are lots of long takes, shots of nature, all accompanied by Eiko Ishibashi’s delicate score. It’s a film that takes time to reveal its cards, but it’s absolutely worth the wait.
Set in Mizubiki Village in Nagano, a town located on a plateau rich in nature not so far from Tokyo. The number of immigrants is on the rise, with very gradual development. Takumi and his daughter Hana, who have lived there for generations, lead a modest life, following the cycle of nature. One day, a plan is hatched to build a glamping site near Takumi’s house: an entertainment agency, which has fallen into financial difficulties due to the COVID disaster, has obtained a government subsidy and plans to set up a glamping site. However, the discovery that they intend to discharge sewage into the village water source causes unrest in the village, and the aftermath affects Takumi’s life as well.
This is Hamaguchi’s follow-up to his 2021 one-two punch of “Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy” and “Drive My Car.” The latter was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, at the 94th Academy Awards. It also won Best International Feature.