Virginia Film Festival

Oscar-winning director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car) returns with Evil Does Not Exist, an unexpected and mysterious eco-political thriller.

In the quiet, idyllic Japanese village of Harasawa, Takumi, a single parent, resides with his young daughter, living a modest life in sync with nature by doing odd jobs for fellow villagers. Their peaceful existence, nestled away from the bustling world, faces a looming threat—the impending arrival of Playmode, a Tokyo-based company preparing to construct a glamping site catering to urban tourists. This ambitious development plan rings alarm bells for Takumi and the community as they grasp its dire environmental implications. Fueled by their concern for the environment, they decide to take a stand.

Enhanced by an ominous, captivating musical score, the film delves into nuanced country-versus-city themes, urging audiences to embody the virtues needed for harmonious coexistence with nature amid the clash of urban and rural lifestyles.

“Ryusuke Hamaguchi crafts a gorgeous eco-fable that ends with a mythical mic drop.”
–Time Out, Philip De Semlyen