Perfect Days

Perfect Days is a 2023 drama film directed by Wim Wenders, from a script written by Wenders and Takuma Takasaki.[3] A co-production between Japan and Germany, the film combines four short stories and stars Kōji Yakusho in the role of a toilet cleaner.[4]

For other uses, see Perfect Days (disambiguation).
Perfect Days
International 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

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 selected as the Japanese entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.[5]

Synopsis

Hirayama works as a toilet cleaner in Tokyo. He seems content with his simple life. He follows a structured everyday life and dedicates his free time to his passion for music and books. Hirayama also has a fondness for trees and photographs them. More of his past is gradually revealed through a series of unexpected encounters.[6]

Cast

Production

The film is produced by Master Mind Limited (Japan) and Spoon Inc. (Japan) in collaboration with Wenders Images (Germany).[6][2]

The film was shot over 17 days in Tokyo.[7]

Release

Perfect Days was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival,[8] where it had its world premiere on 25 May 2023.[9] It was also invited to the 27th Lima Film Festival in the Acclaimed section, where it was screened on 11 August 2023.[10] Subsequent screenings were held at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and 2023 New York Film Festival.[11][12] World sales were handled by The Match Factory,[6] with Neon distributing the film in the United States, and Mubi distributing the film in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Turkey and Latin American regions.[13] Perfect Days is set for release in Germany on 21 December 2023 by DCM,[14] and in Japan on 22 December by Bitters End.[15]

Reception

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 95% based on 40 reviews, with an average rating of 7.7/10. 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."[16] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 72 out of 100, based on 12 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[17]

Hsin Wang of FIPRESCI described the film as Wim Wenders' lifetime masterpiece.[18]

Awards and nominations
Awards and nominations for Perfect Days
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Cannes Film Festival 27 May 2023 Palme d'Or Wim Wenders Nominated [8]
Best Actor Kōji Yakusho Won [19]
Prize of the Ecumenical Jury Wim Wenders Won [20]
Miskolc International Film Festival 9 September 2023 Emeric Pressburger Prize for Best Feature Film Perfect Days Nominated [21]

See also

References
  1. "Perfect Days". The Match Factory. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  2. "PERFECT DAYS". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  3. Bradshaw, Peter (25 May 2023). "Perfect Days review – Wim Wenders explores a quiet life in Tokyo". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  4. Breitenbach, Dagmar (12 May 2022). "Tokyo's public toilets inspire Wim Wenders". DW. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  5. "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). Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  6. 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. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  7. Thorpe, Vanessa (18 May 2023). "Wim Wenders: cinema today 'makes me nauseous'". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  8. "The films of the Official Selection 2023". Festival de Cannes. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  9. mraultpauillac (10 May 2023). "The Screenings Guide of the 76th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  10. "Perfect Days". 27 PUCP Lima Film Festival (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  11. Lattanzio, Ryan (10 August 2023). "TIFF 2023 Centerpiece Program Showcases Aki Kaurismäki, Wim Wenders, Agnieszka Holland, and More". IndieWire. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  12. Rubin, Rebecca (8 August 2023). "New York Film Festival Unveils 2023 Lineup: 'Zone of Interest,' 'Poor Things,' 'Anatomy of a Fall' and More". Variety. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  13. Ntim, Zac (31 May 2023). "Wim Wenders' Cannes Competition Title 'Perfect Days' Sells Out For The Match Factory". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  14. Roxborough, Scott (23 May 2023). "Cannes: DCM Takes Wim Wenders Festival Double Pack for Germany". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  15. Rosser, Michael (30 August 2023). "'Perfect Days', 'Godzilla Minus One' to booked Tokyo film festival 2023". Screen International. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  16. "Perfect Days". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  17. "Perfect Days". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  18. "Return To Essence At Cannes 2023". Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  19. 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. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  20. Rouden, Céline (27 May 2023). "Palmarès Festival de Cannes 2023 : La Française Justine Triet remporte la Palme d'or". La Croix (in French). Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  21. "FESTIVALS: CineFest Miskolc International Film Festival 2023 Announces Lineup". FilmNewEurope. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
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