Ryûsuke Hamaguchi on Evil Does Not Exist | NYFF61

Director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi discussed his NYFF61 Main Slate selection Evil Does Not Exist with NYFF Artistic Director Dennis Lim.

Deep in the forest of the small rural village Harasawa, single parent Takumi lives with his young daughter, Hana, and takes care of odd jobs for locals, chopping wood and hauling pristine well water. The overpowering serenity of this untouched land of mountains and lakes, where deer peacefully roam free, is about to be disrupted by the imminent arrival of the Tokyo company Playmode, which is ready to start construction on a glamping site for city tourists—a plan, which Takumi and his neighbors discover, that will have dire consequences for the ecological health and cleanliness of their community. The potent and foreboding new film from Oscar-winning director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car and Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, both NYFF59) is a haunting, entirely unexpected cinematic experience that reconstitutes the boundaries of the ecopolitical thriller. Intensified by a rapturous, ominous score by Eiko Ishibashi, this mesmeric journey diverges from country-vs-city themes to straddle the line between the earthy and the metaphysical. A Sideshow/Janus Films release.

[tiagoribeiro]

This was great, and the movie is probably my favorite by Hamaguchi. Incredible to hear from the master himself about his process of creating a movie out of Eiko Ishibashi's music, with such powerful results. Truly an unique filmmaker.

[TheZuTe]

One of the best films i've seen in a long time. This will stay with me for weeks.

[mikayocc]

She's an EXCELLENT interpreter, wow.

[sadcowgirl___]

thank you for uploading. i just came home from the cinema - the ending confused me a lot, i'll have to think about that one for some time

[burgesssam]

Fascinating film. Watched it a few months ago and it still pops up in my mind every now and then. And thanks for another great interview, Mr. Lim!