At the center is a basic conflict of civilization: between country and city, between harmony with nature and economic development. Takumi (Hitoshi Omika) lives as a single parent with his daughter Hana (Ryo Nishikawa) in the village of Mizubiki. It is an existence in harmony, in the rhythm of nature, characterized by chopping wood, drawing water from the stream and the barren winter landscape.
However, economics breaks into this quiet monolayer in the form of a company that wants to build a “glamping” site not far from Takumi’s house – glamorous camping for well-heeled city dwellers. The company sends Takahashi (Ryuji Kosaka) and Mayuzumi (Ayaka Shibutani) as emissaries to calm the village community with classic marketing speak. With Hamaguchi the inspiration takes a turn, the city dwellers don’t run over the helpless country people, but Takahashi and Mayuzumi are influenced by the villagers’ philosophy. With Hana’s disappearance, Hamaguchi finally diverts his narrative flow into the cryptic.
The film stages nature in long shots and colorful images, underpinned by fascinating string music by the composer Eiko Ishibashi. “Evil does not exist” develops a lyrical pull, even if it doesn’t match its predecessor “Drive my Car”.
„Evil does not exist“: J 2023, 106 Min, Regie: Ryusuke Hamaguchi, currently in the cinema
OÖN rating:
