Jump to content

Perfect Days

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 7szz (talk | contribs) at 18:26, 11 February 2024. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article is about the 2023 film. For other uses, see Perfect Days (disambiguation).
Perfect Days
Release poster
Directed byWim Wenders
Written by
  • Takuma Takasaki
  • Wim Wenders
Produced by
  • Wim Wenders[1]
  • Takuma Takasaki[1]
  • Koji Yanai[1]
StarringKōji Yakusho
CinematographyFranz Lustig[1]
Edited byToni Froschhammer[1]
Production
companies
  • Master Mind Limited
  • Spoon Inc.
  • Wenders Images
Distributed by
  • DCM
  • Bitters End
Release dates
  • 25 May 2023 (2023-05-25) (Cannes)
  • 21 December 2023 (2023-12-21) (Germany)
  • 22 December 2023 (2023-12-22) (Japan)
Running time
123 minutes[2]
Countries
  • Japan
  • Germany
LanguageJapanese
Box office$15.5 million[3]

Perfect Days is a 2023 drama film directed by Wim Wenders, from a script written by Wenders and Takuma Takasaki.[4] A co-production between Japan and Germany, the film combines four short stories and stars Kōji Yakusho in the role of a toilet cleaner.[5]

The film competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered on 25 May and won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury and the Best Actor Award for Kōji Yakusho. It was nominated for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards, becoming the first film not directed by a Japanese filmmaker to be nominated as the Japanese entry.[6]

Plot

Hirayama works as a toilet cleaner in Tokyo. He seems content with his simple life. Following a structured, ritualised everyday life, he repeats it daily from dawn. He also dedicates his free time to his passion for music, in his van to and from work, and books, every night before bed.

We also see Hirayama's fondness for trees, through his gardening and photographing them. His pride in his work is apparent by its thoroughness and precision. More about Hirayama is gradually revealed through a series of encounters.

Hirayama's young workmate Takashi works the second shift. Unlike Hirayama he is often late, loud and less thorough. One day, a young woman named Aya stops by the toilets to see Takashi so he hurries to finish, then when his motorbike breaks down Takashi convinces Hirayama to let him use the van. Hirayama stays in the back while Takashi talks and drives. Hirayama rarely speaks and has an eclectic collection of mostly rock 'n' roll cassettes.

When Aya says Takashi can stay with her as she works at a bar, he complains loudly that he's broke. He talks Hirayama into going into a shop to get some of his cassettes appraised. When Takashi finds out their value, he tries to get him to sell them. Hirayama refuses, but give him cash to appease him.

The next day is quiet. Hirayama finds a tic-tac-toe started by someone and left inconspicuously in a stall, which he participates in over the whole week. He has a sandwich daily under the trees in the park, snapping photos of their branches and leaves. Hirayama later goes to the public baths and finally has dinner at a humble eatery.

Aya catches up with Hirayama to return a Patti Smith cassette she'd taken without asking. She asks to play it in his van once more, then gives him a thank you kiss on the cheek before leaving. On his free day, Hirayama does his laundry, takes his film to be developed, cleans his flat, buys a new book and has dinner out, where the female proprietor of the restaurant appreciates his quietude.

Niko, Hirayama's niece, shows up by surprise. She's run away from his wealthy estranged sister Keiko's home. He lets her accompany him on his next two days of routine, and she even helps him clean at work. Eventually, Hirayama calls Keiko, who comes to collect Niko in the evening. She can't believe he is a toilet cleaner and asks him to visit their father, who is failing. He hugs his sister before she is driven away, at which point he cries inconsolably.

The next day, Takashi quits without giving notice, so Hirayama has to cover his shift. At the end of the very long shift, which extends into evening, he frustratedly calls the company and insists they find a replacement. Luckily they have one the following day.

Again Hirayama has his free day. As he approaches the restaurant, he finds the owner in an emotional embrace with a man and hurries off so as to not disturb them. He purchases three beers and some cigarettes and goes to the riverbank but starts coughing immediately after taking his first drag. A man approaches and asks Hirayama for a cigarette, also having a coughing fit. He is the same man Hirayama saw embracing the restaurant owner earlier. Over beers, the man explains the two had divorced seven years ago, and she opened the restaurant the following year. He's returned to make peace with her as he has terminal cancer. The two men play with their shadows before parting ways.

Hirayama's work week starts again listening to music in his van on his way to work.

Cast

Production

Right after pandemic precautions eased, Wenders was invited to Tokyo by Koji Yanai to observe the Tokyo Toilet Project, a project in which Japanese public toilets were redesigned in 17 locations throughout Shibuya with the help of 16 creators invited from around the world. Wenders was invited to take a look at the uniqueness of each of these facilities. At first, the producers envisioned Wenders would make a short film or series of short films on the facilities, but he opted for a feature film, with co-screenwriter Takuma Takasaki explaining that the conception of the character of Hirayama felt like new territory for them.[7][8] The film is produced by Master Mind Limited (Japan) and Spoon Inc. (Japan) in collaboration with Wenders Images (Germany).[9][2]

The film was shot over 17 days in Tokyo.[10]

Soundtrack

Title Artist Year
"The House of the Rising Sun" Traditional / The Animals 1964
"Pale Blue Eyes" Lou Reed / The Velvet Underground 1969
"(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" Otis Redding 1968
"Redondo Beach" Patti Smith 1975
"(Walkin' Thru The) Sleepy City" Jagger/Richards / The Rolling Stones 1964
"Perfect Day" Lou Reed 1972
"Aoi Sakana" Sachiko Kanenobu 1972
"Sunny Afternoon" Ray Davies / The Kinks 1966
"The House of the Rising Sun" Japanese version / Maki Asakawa 1972
"Brown Eyed Girl" Van Morrison 1967
"Feeling Good" Nina Simone 1965
"Perfect Day" Lou Reed - 2017 version by Patrick Watson 2017

Release

Perfect Days was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival,[11] where it had its world premiere on 25 May 2023.[12] It was also invited to the 27th Lima Film Festival in the Acclaimed section, where it was screened on 11 August 2023.[13] Subsequent screenings were held at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and 2023 New York Film Festival.[14][15] World sales were handled by The Match Factory,[9] with Neon distributing the film in the United States, and Mubi distributing the film in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Turkey and Latin American regions.[16] Perfect Days was released in Germany on 21 December 2023 by DCM,[17] and in Japan on 22 December by Bitters End.[18]

Reception

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 93% based on 84 reviews, with an average rating of 8/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "An absorbing slice-of-life drama led by a remarkable Kôji Yakusho performance, Perfect Days adds a quietly soaring gem to director/co-writer Wim Wenders' estimable filmography."[19] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 75 out of 100, based on 18 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[20]

Hsin Wang of FIPRESCI described the film as Wim Wenders' lifetime masterpiece.[21]

German film journalist Dieter Osswald wrote, "With furious ease, Wenders succeeds in making a rather perfect film."[22]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards 17 January 2024 Best Foreign Language Film Perfect Days Nominated [23]
[24]
Academy Awards 10 March 2024 Best International Feature Film Pending [25]
Asia Pacific Screen Awards 3 November 2023 Best Film Won [26]
[27]
Best Performance Koji Yakusho Nominated
Asian Film Awards 10 March 2024 Best Film Perfect Days Pending [28]
Best Actor Koji Yakusho Pending
Astra Film and Creative Arts Awards 6 January 2024 Best International Feature Perfect Days Nominated [29]
Best International Filmmaker Wim Wenders Nominated
Best International Actor Koji Yakusho Nominated
Blue Ribbon Awards February 2024 Best Film Perfect Days Nominated [30]
Best Actor Koji Yakusho Nominated
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards 10 December 2023 Best Actor Runner-up[a] [31]
Cannes Film Festival 27 May 2023 Palme d'Or Wim Wenders Nominated [11]
Best Actor Koji Yakusho Won [32]
Prize of the Ecumenical Jury Wim Wenders Won [33]
César Awards 23 February 2024 Best Foreign Film Perfect Days Pending [34]
[35]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards 14 January 2024 Best Foreign Language Film Nominated [36]
Houston Film Critics Society 22 January 2024 Best Foreign Language Feature Nominated [37]
[38]
IndieWire Critics Poll 11 December 2023 Best Performance Koji Yakusho 10th Place[b] [39]
Best International Film Perfect Days 4th Place
International Cinephile Society 11 February 2024 Best Actor Koji Yakusho Pending [40]
Japan Academy Film Prize 8 March 2024 Best Film Perfect Days Pending [41]
Best Director Wim Wenders Pending
Best Actor Koji Yakusho Pending
Kinema Junpo Awards 18 February 2024 Best Actor Won [42]
Georgia Film Critics Association Awards 5 January 2024 Best International Film Perfect Days Nominated [43]
[44]
Manaki Brothers Film Festival 29 September 2023 Golden Camera 300 Franz Lustig Nominated [45]
Miskolc International Film Festival 9 September 2023 Emeric Pressburger Prize for Best Feature Film Perfect Days Nominated [46]
Montclair Film Festival 30 October 2023 Junior Jury Won [47]
North Texas Film Critics Association 18 December 2023 Best Foreign Language Film Nominated [48]
San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Awards 9 January 2024 Best International Feature Film Nominated [49]
Seattle Film Critics Society Awards 8 January 2024 Best Actor in a Leading Role Koji Yakusho Nominated [50]
St. Louis Film Critics Association 17 December 2023 Best International Film Perfect Days Nominated [51]
Toronto Film Critics Association 17 December 2023 Outstanding Lead Performance Koji Yakusho Runner-up[c] [52]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards 10 December 2023 Best Foreign Language Film Perfect Days Nominated [53]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Shared with Cillian Murphy for Oppenheimer.
  2. ^ Tied with Glenn Howerton for BlackBerry, Benoit Magimel for Pacifiction, and Franz Rogowski for Passages.
  3. ^ Shared with Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers, Andrew Scott for All of Us Strangers, and Emma Stone for Poor Things.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Perfect Days". The Match Factory. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  2. ^ a b "PERFECT DAYS". Festival de Cannes. Archived from the original on 16 October 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Perfect Days (2023)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  4. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (25 May 2023). "Perfect Days review – Wim Wenders explores a quiet life in Tokyo". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  5. ^ Breitenbach, Dagmar (12 May 2022). "Tokyo's public toilets inspire Wim Wenders". DW. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  6. ^ "出品を希望する方へ│米国アカデミー賞│一般社団法人日本映画製作者連盟". www.eiren.org (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 5 August 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  7. ^ Manelis, Michele (11 June 2023). ""Perfect Days": Portrait of a Simple Man in a Tokyo Story by Wim Wenders". Golden Globe Awards. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  8. ^ Yukinori, Hashino (14 July 2023). "The Tokyo Toilet Project Makes a Splash in Shibuya and Cannes". Nippon.com. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  9. ^ a b Wiseman, Andreas (14 April 2023). "The Match Factory To Handle Wim Wenders' Tokyo-Set Cannes Competition Entry 'Perfect Days', Film Details & First-Look Revealed". Deadline. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  10. ^ Thorpe, Vanessa (18 May 2023). "Wim Wenders: cinema today 'makes me nauseous'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  11. ^ a b "The films of the Official Selection 2023". Festival de Cannes. 13 April 2023. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  12. ^ mraultpauillac (10 May 2023). "The Screenings Guide of the 76th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  13. ^ "Perfect Days". 27 PUCP Lima Film Festival (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  14. ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (10 August 2023). "TIFF 2023 Centerpiece Program Showcases Aki Kaurismäki, Wim Wenders, Agnieszka Holland, and More". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  15. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (8 August 2023). "New York Film Festival Unveils 2023 Lineup: 'Zone of Interest,' 'Poor Things,' 'Anatomy of a Fall' and More". Variety. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  16. ^ Ntim, Zac (31 May 2023). "Wim Wenders' Cannes Competition Title 'Perfect Days' Sells Out For The Match Factory". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  17. ^ Roxborough, Scott (23 May 2023). "Cannes: DCM Takes Wim Wenders Festival Double Pack for Germany". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  18. ^ Rosser, Michael (30 August 2023). "'Perfect Days', 'Godzilla Minus One' to booked Tokyo film festival 2023". Screen International. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  19. ^ "Perfect Days". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  20. ^ "Perfect Days". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  21. ^ "Return To Essence At Cannes 2023". Fipresci.org. Archived from the original on 16 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  22. ^ "Perfect Days". doppelpunkt.de. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  23. ^ Chuba, Kirsten (9 January 2024). "Oppenheimer Leads Nominations for 2024 AARP Movies for Grownups Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  24. ^ Pedersen, Erik; Petski, Denise (17 January 2024). "Killers Of The Flower Moon Wins Best Picture At AARP Movies For Grownups Awards: Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  25. ^ Gonzalez, Shivani (23 January 2024). "Oscar Nominees 2024: See the Full List". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  26. ^ Ntim, Zac (3 October 2023). "Asia Pacific Screen Awards: Ryusuke Hamaguchi's 'Evil Does Not Exist' Leads Nominations & First Round Winners Announced". Deadline. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  27. ^ Frater, Patrick (3 November 2023). "'Perfect Days' Wins Best Film at Asia Pacific Screen Awards as Japan, Korea, Kazakh Titles Dominate". Variety. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  28. ^ "Asian Film Awards; Korean Historical Drama '12.12: The Day' & Ryusuke Hamaguchi's 'Evil Does Not Exist' Lead Nominations". Deadline. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  29. ^ Anderson, Erik (7 December 2023). "'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' Lead Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) Astra Awards Nominations". Awards Watch. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  30. ^ "「エゴイスト」「月」が作品賞など最多5部門に選出 「第66回ブルーリボン賞」各部門候補決まる". Chunichi Sports. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  31. ^ Anderson, Erik (10 December 2023). "2023 Boston Society of Film Critics (BSFC): 'The Holdovers' Wins Best Film, Actor, Supporting Actress, Screenplay". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  32. ^ Debruge, Peter (27 May 2023). "Cannes Awards: 'Anatomy of a Fall' Takes Palme d'Or, 'The Zone of Interest' and 'The Pot au Feu' Among Winners". Variety. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  33. ^ Rouden, Céline (27 May 2023). "Palmarès Festival de Cannes 2023 : La Française Justine Triet remporte la Palme d'or". La Croix (in French). Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  34. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (24 January 2024). "Cesar Awards Nominations: Thomas Cailley's 'The Animal Kingdom,' Justine Triet's Oscar-Nominated 'Anatomy of a Fall' Lead the Way". Variety. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  35. ^ Roxborough, Scott; Szalai, Georg (24 January 2024). "Cesar Nominations: 'Anatomy of a Fall,' 'The Animal Kingdom' Lead the Pack for French Film Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  36. ^ Nolfi, Joey (13 December 2023). "2024 Critics Choice Awards film nominations: See the full list". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  37. ^ Darling, Cary (9 January 2024). "Barbie, Oppenheimer lead Houston Film Critics Society's nominations". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  38. ^ Darling, Cary (22 January 2024). "Houston Film Critics Society names Poor Things the best film of 2023". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  39. ^ Blauvelt, Christian (11 December 2023). "2023 Critics Poll: The Best Films and Performances, According to 158 Critics from Around the World". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  40. ^ Stevens, Beth (21 January 2024). "2024 ICS Award Nominees". International Cinephile Society. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  41. ^ "『第47回 日本アカデミー賞』受賞者・作品発表 授賞式司会は羽鳥慎一、岸井ゆきの【コメント全文】". Oricon. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  42. ^ "キネ旬ベスト・テン1位は「せかいのおきく」「TAR/ター」、趣里と役所広司が主演賞". Natalie. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  43. ^ Neglia, Matt (29 December 2023). "The 2023 Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  44. ^ Neglia, Matt (5 January 2024). "The 2023 Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  45. ^ "OFFICIAL SELECTION "CAMERA 300"NARRATIVE FEATURES". Manaki Brothers - International Cinematographers' Film Festival. 11 September 2023. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  46. ^ "FESTIVALS: CineFest Miskolc International Film Festival 2023 Announces Lineup". Film New Europe Association. 17 August 2023. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  47. ^ "2023 Montclair Film Festival Award Winners Announced! | Montclair Film". montclairfilm.org. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  48. ^ Neglia, Matt (18 December 2023). "The 2023 North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  49. ^ Neglia, Matt (5 January 2024). "The 2023 San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  50. ^ Neglia, Matt (3 January 2024). "The 2023 Seattle Film Critics Society (SFCS) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  51. ^ Anderson, Eric. "2023 St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) Nominations". awardswatch.com. AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  52. ^ Neglia, Matt (17 December 2023). "The 2023 Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  53. ^ Neglia, Matt (9 December 2023). "The 2023 Washington DC Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Perfect_Days&oldid=1206277935"