How a Tokyo toilet cleaner became the subject of a cinematic masterpiece
In short: Wim Wenders’ 2023 film Perfect Days captures the quiet, structured life of Hirayama, a man who finds profound beauty in the mundane. By focusing on the precision of his daily routine and his love for analog music, the film offers a meditative look at finding contentment in the present moment.
The film follows Hirayama, played by Kōji Yakusho, a public toilet cleaner in Tokyo’s Shibuya district. His life is defined by a rigid, repetitive schedule, yet he finds deep satisfaction in the thoroughness of his work and his personal passions, such as reading literature and listening to music cassettes. The narrative is heavily influenced by the minimalist style of Japanese director Yasujirō Ozu, utilizing a 4:3 aspect ratio and a focus on ordinary life to ground the viewer in Hirayama's perspective.
The setting itself is a central character: the film was inspired by The Tokyo Toilet project, an initiative by The Nippon Foundation that commissioned renowned architects like Tadao Ando and Kengo Kuma to redesign public facilities as symbols of hospitality. Wenders, initially invited to document these structures, chose instead to build a narrative around a man who finds solace in the city's architecture and the 'Komorebi'—the sunlight filtering through tree leaves. This visual motif contrasts sharply with the recurring presence of the Tokyo Skytree, highlighting the tension between the natural world and urban development.
While the film is a celebration of simple living, it does not shy away from the complexities of human connection. Through encounters with his niece, a former colleague, and a stranger at a riverbank, Hirayama’s carefully constructed routine is challenged by the realities of family illness, loss, and the passage of time. Critics have lauded the film for its ability to convey a rich interior life with minimal dialogue, with some calling it Wenders' best work in years. It remains a poignant exploration of how one chooses to live, suggesting that even a life of service can be filled with deep, soaring meaning.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Perfect Days
- Also: Wikidata — Perfect Days · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Perfect Days - I zeny maji sve dny · CC0
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