In an era where movies and series often rush the story and add unnecessary elements to excite audiences, "Perfect Days" is the movie I've been waiting for.
Perfect Days is a co-production between Japan and Germany, directed by Wim Wenders. He co-wrote the script with Takuma Takasaki. But the really cool thing is that Kōji Yakusho plays the role of a toilet cleaner named Hirayama, and he's such an amazing actor. I was excited to see him bring the character to life as an old man living a simple life.
Hirayama is a character who lives in the bustling city of Tokyo. You can often see the iconic Sky Tree in the movie's background. Hirayama leads a seemingly routine life, but a passion drives him each day.
He rises early, heads to work, and takes a refreshing shower at the same public bathhouse (銭湯; sentou). His day continues with a delicious meal at his favorite restaurant and a visit to his treasured bookstore.
During his break at work, you can often spot him clicking away on his film camera at his favorite spot. It may sound mundane to some, but for Hirayama, it's a life full of simple pleasures and cherished routines many of us long for.
Next Time is Next Time, Now is Now
Hirayama is someone who takes pleasure in the little things in life. Whether taking care of his tiny plants every morning or photographing trees during his lunch break, these moments make his day. The movie shows Hirayama's daily routine until his niece comes to stay with him.
His niece tries to follow his routine and spends days with him. During one of their conversations, Hirayama tells her, "Next time is next time, now is now (今度は今度、今は今; kondo wa kondo, ima wa ima)."
Although the movie doesn't reveal much about Hirayama's background, it's apparent that he has some family issues. Regardless, he lives in the present moment and tries to enjoy it to the fullest. This dialogue perfectly captures his philosophy of life.
Perfect Days left a powerful impression on me. It's impressive how it portrays the life of Hirayama through the lens of Komorebi (木漏れ日), a Japanese word that is so beautiful and meaningful.
This movie manages to convey an important message in a way that is both poignant and inspiring.
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What is Komorebi?
Komorebi (木漏れ日) is a Japanese word that describes the sunlight filtering through trees. Although the translation might seem simple, its meaning is much deeper than just admiring the natural beauty. Komorebi embodies the movie's central theme of "living a simple life and enjoying the moment."
To appreciate the sunlight filtering through the leaves, one must stop what they are doing and take a moment to appreciate it. This act of pausing to enjoy something seemingly small is what it truly means to "enjoy the little things in life." Therefore, Komorebi perfectly reflects this idea in the movie, showcasing the importance of appreciating the world around us.
In this movie, Komorebi perfectly fits with Hirayama's lifestyle. He spends his lunch breaks sitting in a small park, taking photos of trees and smiling. Nearby, an office woman always eats her lunch on the bench next to Hirayama. However, she appears to have lost her soul due to her job.
This contrast between Hirayama and the lady highlights how one can find joy in the little things daily while the other cannot enjoy anything anymore.
As a fan of Japanese storytelling, I'm thrilled that this movie captured the essence of Japanese culture so beautifully. Do you agree that Japanese films have a unique way of conveying emotions without saying much? It's like you can feel the story more than you hear it.
Do you always dream of having perfect days? This movie may help you realize that you can enjoy small things daily.
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