Get ready to be transported to Japan in Wim Wenders’ latest Cannes entry, Perfect Days. This film explores the dignity of labor with a touch of humor and a melancholic sense of joie de vivre. What sets this film apart from other western films set in Japan is that it doesn’t rely on cultural stereotypes. Instead, it tells the story of Hirayama, a toilet cleaner at Tokyo Toilet, played by the talented Koji Yakusho.
The first half-hour of the film is a masterclass in economy, showing Hirayama’s daily routine with dignity and gusto. He takes pride in his work, and the Japanese respect for their facilities means that we are spared the gruesome sights one might expect to find in a western bathroom. But Hirayama’s ascetic way of life is soon interrupted by random encounters that interfere with his routine.
Wenders’ direction and Takuma Takasaki’s screenplay focus on the simple pleasures of life and the ripples caused by small gestures. Hirayama’s musical taste becomes key in this respect, and the soundtrack to his life features music from The Rolling Stones, The Animals, Nina Simone, and Lou Reed.
But what makes this film truly special is Koji Yakusho’s performance. He commands the screen with a largely silent performance, and his serenity is contagious. Wenders’ minor-key direction and Yakusho’s performance add unexpected profundity to the film’s seemingly simple message: “The world is made of many worlds. Some are connected, and some are not.”
Don’t miss Perfect Days at Cannes, where it will be competing for top honors.
