There Is No Evil

Mohammad Rasoulof’s compelling anthology film explores the insidious effect of state-sanctioned capital punishment on a society and its citizens.

In four thematically connected stories, There Is No Evil examines how societies that enforce the death penalty impact the personal well-being of people working within those systems.

Every society that enforces the death penalty places a requirement on people to kill their fellow citizens. Four men are put in front of an unthinkable but simple choice. Whatever they decide will directly or indirectly corrode themselves, their relationships and their entire lives.

Curator's note

Mohammad Rasolouf's deeply humanistic perspective on the broad impacts of the death penalty on societies is an illuminating experience, particularly for Australian audiences far removed from capital punishment.

There is much to learn from the film which operates like a bear trap, holding on to the audience with a strong grip, and refusing to let go long after the film ends.

There is No Evil won the Golden Bear for best film at the Berlin International Film Festival where the film made its world premiere. The film screened exclusively at ACMI upon its release.

– Reece Goodwin, Curator (Film & TV)