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
Box office$9.9 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 selected as the Japanese entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards, becoming the first film not directed by a Japanese filmmaker to be submitted as the Japanese entry,[6] and was one of the 15 finalist films in the December shortlist.[7]

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.[8]

Cast

Production

Right after the pandemic, 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.[9][10] The film is produced by Master Mind Limited (Japan) and Spoon Inc. (Japan) in collaboration with Wenders Images (Germany).[8][2]

The film was shot over 17 days in Tokyo.[11]

Soundtrack

TitleArtistYear
"The House of the Rising Sun"Traditional / The Animals1964
"Pale Blue Eyes"Lou Reed / The Velvet Underground1969
"(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay"Otis Redding1968
"Redondo Beach"Patti Smith1975
"(Walkin' Thru The) Sleepy City"Jagger/Richards / The Rolling Stones1964
"Perfect Day"Lou Reed1972
"Aoi Sakana"Sachiko Kanenobu1972
"Sunny Afternoon"Ray Davies / The Kinks1966
"The House of the Rising Sun"Japanese version / Maki Asakawa1972
"Brown Eyed Girl"Van Morrison1967
"Feeling Good"Nina Simone1965
"Perfect Day"Lou Reed - 2017 version by Patrick Watson2017

Release

Perfect Days was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival,[12] where it had its world premiere on 25 May 2023.[13] It was also invited to the 27th Lima Film Festival in the Acclaimed section, where it was screened on 11 August 2023.[14] Subsequent screenings were held at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and 2023 New York Film Festival.[15][16] World sales were handled by The Match Factory,[8] with Neon distributing the film in the United States, and Mubi distributing the film in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Turkey and Latin American regions.[17] Perfect Days was released in Germany on 21 December 2023 by DCM,[18] and in Japan on 22 December by Bitters End.[19]

Reception

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 93% based on 72 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."[20] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 73 out of 100, based on 14 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[21]

Hsin Wang of FIPRESCI described the film as Wim Wenders' lifetime masterpiece.[22]

German film journalist Dieter Osswald wrote, "With furious ease, Wenders succeeds in making a rather perfect film."[23]

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations for Perfect Days
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Academy Awards 10 March 2024 Best International Feature Film Perfect Days Shortlisted [24]
Cannes Film Festival 27 May 2023 Palme d'Or Wim Wenders Nominated [12]
Best Actor Kōji Yakusho Won [25]
Prize of the Ecumenical Jury Wim Wenders Won [26]
Miskolc International Film Festival 9 September 2023 Emeric Pressburger Prize for Best Feature Film Perfect Days Nominated [27]
Manaki Brothers Film Festival 29 September 2023 Golden Camera 300 Franz Lustig Nominated [28]
Asia Pacific Screen Awards 3 November 2023 Best Film Perfect Days Won [29]
[30]
Best Performance Kōji Yakusho Nominated
Montclair Film Festival 30 October 2023 Junior Jury Perfect Days Won [31]
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards 10 December 2023 Best Actor Kōji Yakusho Runner-up[lower-alpha 1] [32]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards 10 December 2023 Best Foreign Language Film Perfect Days Nominated [33]
St. Louis Film Critics Association 17 December 2023 Best International Film Nominated [34]
Toronto Film Critics Association 17 December 2023 Outstanding Lead Performance Kôji Yakusho Runner-up[lower-alpha 2] [35]
Georgia Film Critics Association Awards 5 January 2024 Best International Film Perfect Days Nominated [36]
[37]
Astra Film and Creative Arts Awards 6 January 2024 Best International Feature Nominated [38]
Best International Filmmaker Wim Wenders Nominated
Best International Actor Koji Yakusho Nominated
Seattle Film Critics Society Awards 8 January 2024 Best Actor in a Leading Role Nominated [39]
San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Awards 9 January 2024 Best International Feature Film Perfect Days Nominated [40]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards 14 January 2024 Best Foreign Language Film Nominated [41]
Blue Ribbon Awards February 2024 Best Film Pending [42]
Best Actor Koji Yakusho Pending
Asian Film Awards 10 March 2024 Best Film Perfect Days Pending [43]
Best Actor Koji Yakusho Pending

See also

Notes

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Perfect Days". The Match Factory. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  2. 1 2 "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 11 January 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. ↑ Bergeson, Samantha (21 December 2023). "2024 Oscar Shortlists Unveiled: 'Barbie,' 'Poor Things,' 'Maestro,' and 'The Zone of Interest' Make the Cut". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 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.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. 1 2 "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.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ "Perfect Days". 27 PUCP Lima Film Festival (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ 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.
  17. ↑ 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.
  18. ↑ 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.
  19. ↑ 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.
  20. ↑ "Perfect Days". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  21. ↑ "Perfect Days". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  22. ↑ "Return To Essence At Cannes 2023". Fipresci.org. Archived from the original on 16 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  23. ↑ "Perfect Days". doppelpunkt.de. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  24. ↑ Pond, Steve (21 December 2023). "'The Taste of Things,' 'The Zone of Interest' Make Heavily European Shortlist in Oscars International Category". TheWrap. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  25. ↑ 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.
  26. ↑ 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.
  27. ↑ "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.
  28. ↑ "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.
  29. ↑ 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.
  30. ↑ 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.
  31. ↑ "2023 Montclair Film Festival Award Winners Announced! | Montclair Film". montclairfilm.org. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  32. ↑ 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.
  33. ↑ 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.
  34. ↑ 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.
  35. ↑ 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.
  36. ↑ Neglia, Matt (29 December 2023). "The 2023 Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  37. ↑ Neglia, Matt (5 January 2024). "The 2023 Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  38. ↑ 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.
  39. ↑ Neglia, Matt (3 January 2024). "The 2023 Seattle Film Critics Society (SFCS) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  40. ↑ Neglia, Matt (5 January 2024). "The 2023 San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  41. ↑ 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.
  42. ↑ "「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.
  43. ↑ "Asian Film Awards; Korean Historical Drama '12.12: The Day' & Ryusuke Hamaguchi's 'Evil Does Not Exist' Lead Nominations". Deadline. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
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