Sideshow and Janus Secure North American Rights to Hamaguchi's 'Evil Does Not Exist'

Sideshow and Janus Films have recently garnered all North American rights to the latest work of Academy Award-winning Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi, titled Evil Does Not Exist. The acquisition comes just before the film is set to premiere in Competition at the Venice Film Festival next month. This joint purchase follows the companies' previous collaboration on Hamaguchi’s Oscar-winning film, Drive My Car, which they procured during the 2021 edition of the Cannes Film Festival.

Drive My Car, which landed nominations for Best Picture, Director, and Adapted Screenplay, proved to be one of the first notable successes at the specialty box office in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a gross intake of $2.3 million in the U.S and Canada.

Evil Does Not Exist features Hitoshi Omika, Ryo Nishikawa, Ryuji Kosaka, and Ayaka Shibutani as the primary cast. It is produced by Satoshi Takata of Neopa Inc. The film trails the story of Takumi and his daughter Hana, who reside in Mizubiki Village, located near Tokyo. These characters follow in their ancestors' footsteps by living modest lives that are anchored in the rhythms and order of the natural world. However, a planned glamping site near their home threatens not only the ecological balance of the area, but also the villagers' traditional lifestyles.

Drive My Car's Eiko Ishibashi teams up with Hamaguchi once again to compose the music for Evil Does Not Exist. Sideshow and Janus Films have expressed their anticipation for the movie, affirming the honor they felt in releasing Drive My Car and their belief that audiences will respond with enthusiasm to Hamaguchi's fresh cinematic offering.

Following its debut in Venice, Evil Does Not Exist is scheduled for a Special Presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival (Sept 7-17) and at the New York Film Festival (Sept 29-Oct 15). The deal for the film was orchestrated by Maren Kroymann at M-Appeal on behalf of the filmmakers, Sideshow, and Janus Films.

Now, here comes the more personable portion of our proceedings. Firstly, it’s slightly comforting - in a world seemingly bent on sequels, reboots, and superhero spandex - to see deals like this emerge; ones that champion original storytelling. Hamaguchi, a maestro of the cinematic arts who sees more than most directors in a single frame, has proven to be a compelling force in international cinema. Could Evil Does Not Exist mark the continued rise of Hamaguchi in the western cinema market? Time, undoubtedly, will tell.

Whether it's the transformative power of Drive My Car or the anticipation of Evil Does Not Exist, the winning partnership of Sideshow and Janus Films has been fertile ground for Hamaguchi’s artistry. These two entities act as a reliable conduit, aiding the director's voice to resonate across continents. Frankly, if they’re betting their money on Hamaguchi, I'd take it as a telltale hint for us to sit up and pay attention too.

It’s also exciting to consider the storyline we’re presented with in Evil Does Not Exist. The collision of traditions, serene natural lifestyle, and modern luxury tourism offers much food for thought. Much like our lives today, it’s a tinderbox of old and new, natural and artificial clashing together. It’ll be intriguing to see how this narrative unfurls under Hamaguchi's deft touch.

Bring the popcorn. It appears we're in for an eloquent, thought-provoking treat!