Mohammad Rasoulof’s “There is No Evil,” which is having its world premiere at the Berlinale on Feb. 28, has been sold by Films Boutique to major distributors across Europe.
The sixth feature from Rasoulof, the critically acclaimed Iranian auteur facing censorship challenges back home, “There is No Evil” made a big impression on buyers and sparked bidding wars in several territories, said Jean-Christophe Simon, founder of Films Boutique.
“There is No Evil” was bought for U.K. (New Wave), France (Pyramide distribution), Spain (Bteam), Italy (Satine Films), Switzerland (Trigon), Portugal (Leopardo Filmes), Greece (Ama Films), Poland (Aurora), Turkey (Filmarti), Hungary (Cirko) and ex-Yugoslavia (MCF Megacom). Simon said the Berlin-based company has received strong interest from buyers in North America, German-speaking territories, Scandinavia and the Middle East.
“There is No Evil,” produced by Cosmopol Film, Europe Media Nest and Filminiran, charts the ordeal of four men who are put in front of an unthinkable but simple choice that, whatever they decide, will directly or indirectly affect themselves, their relationships and their entire lives.
Rasoulof, who is not in Berlin due to a travel ban imposed on him by Iranian authorities, said he wanted the film to tell stories that question whether “responsible citizens” have a choice when enforcing the inhumane orders of despots.
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“As human beings, to what extent are we to be held responsible for our fulfilment of those orders? Confronted by this machine of autocracy, when it comes to human emotions, where does the duality of love and moral responsibility leaves us?” said Rasoulof.
The director has earned worldwide acclaim for his politically engaged and thought-provoking films, notably “Goodbye,” “Manuscripts Don’t Burn” and “Man Of Integrity” which scooped prizes at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard in 2011, 2013 and 2017, respectively.