Evil Does Not Exist

The performances are as natural as the trees, and as stoic and deeply rooted. The sonic refrain is profoundly layered and evokes exactly what it needs to every time it returns while hinting of and containing everything the film asks of it. Everything is there from the beginning - it is masterfully structured - but the finale could never be anything but a horrifying surprise, never quite to be reconciled with its body, even as reflection makes clear its inevitability. Water flows downhill.

Certainly not what I was anticipating after the exhaustive script of "Drive My Car". Actually thought this had a lot in common with Radu Jude's latest stuff. A really quiet film that maintains a gentle tension from the lasting echo of violence. Having the film play at such a soft note the entire time accentuates the drama of the ending, achieving a strange balance that at the very least will give viewers something to chew on.

What is that ending?!????

To begin, the end: it felt out of left (snowy) field, and though subtle foreshadows appear in hindsight, they don’t make it any less of a shot to the gut: evil does exist, as much as the film so beautifully baited us into imagining that it doesn’t, what with its peaceful and patient depictions of life in nature and its humanizing and humourous conversations through seemingly mild conflicts. Wonderful camerawork, turns, and music take us through both the trees and the forest we couldn’t see.

Seemingly very simple film, focusing heavily on the protagonist's daily routines, such as chopping wood. It took me some time to adjust to the film's pace, but I found myself drawn to its world. The beautiful cinematography and music certainly helped. The ending packs a punch, and even though it's foreshadowed earlier, there's a palpable sense of dread, knowing something bad was going to happen. Example of a film that didn't immediately hit me, but has lingered in my thoughts and grown on me.

A few scenes drag on a bit, but I believe this was a deliberate choice by the filmmaker to establish a specific mood. Despite the simplicity of the narrative, it’s well-delivered and unique to have a movie that showcases both the modern and traditional aspects of Japan in an accessible way for foreigners.

A contemplative, slightly cryptic movie about the conflicting interests of city and countryside life.

A quiet movie full of symbolism about the loss of nature and banal evil of capitalism. Or maybe it's about the loss of innocence and banal evil of progress? The themes are certainly open for interpretation in this slow, dreamy treatise of life in rural Japan. Strong acting and cinematography are highlights, but the apex are the 20+ minutes dedicated to a town hall meeting with developers. The divisive ending explains very little of the previous 2 hours. I didn't like it, but some will. PSI: 86

Appreciate some parts (particularly the meeting), but couldn't really connect with it overall. I had the similar issue with Drive My Car

Not for novice movie fans.. try to stay away from your phone.

A beautifully empathetic film about how we are all so screwed. Humanity is doomed to become overwhelmingly corrupted until everything we once held dear has been lost. Bleak!

6 Maig 2024 - Se m'ha fet lenta, molt més que l'anterior. Els moments de diàleg se'm feien més digeribles. Tot i així, tot m'ha generat confusió i m'ha fet sentir incapaç de trobar-hi gaires significats. Una mica incompresible. La música m'ha tocat una mica el primer cop, però les diverses repeticions per mi li han tret la gràcia.

Though it's meditative nature was intentional, it gave us less time with the more interesting characters. Charming in parts, insightful in others but dissapointingly boring overall

Eerie score, long shots say everything: meditation on nature and how we relate to it mostly through violence. In a way, we're all invaders, handyman says. Finale is brutal statement, but build-up to last scenes is absolutely unique as well -- workers of talent agency talking about jobs in a car travel, meeting with CEO of company about to ruin an entire community with its camping gourmet business, briefing with local people, dead deer, what happened to his wife? It is there from the start.

A story not so much about saving the environment as people trying to save themselves. Moments of salvation that don't come to pass.

61st nyff

filmekimi'23 - sinematek

(Filmekimi, City’s Nişantaşı – CINEWAM Premium | 10/14/2023)

Very strong depiction of good rural folk vs corporats with an absorbing pace and beautiful music. I’m not sure how I feel about the ending just yet, though.