Perfect Days

Every morning, Hirayama wakes to the sound of the street outside his house being swept. He brushes his teeth, waters the flowers, dons his work clothes, buys a coffee, and gets in his car to drive to his job as a janitor of public toilets. We follow the mostly silent Hirayama through his morning routine, his dutiful journey through the workday, and when he seeks refuge in a nearby park at lunchtime. Director Wim Wenders conjures a visual symphony of this ordinary life. But Hirayama's balanced and simple life is disrupted when people intrude and bring forth memories of a complicated past. In these encounters with other people, Perfect Days is jolted out of its simple rhythm.

Wim Wenders has created a masterful portrait of a life-loving loner. The film's enigmatic protagonist is portrayed by the Japanese acting legend Koji Yakusho. He was awarded the Best Actor award at Cannes for this unforgettable performance. This is not a film characterized by dramatic events, but a film where the essence of life unfolds. Along the way, we get to hear classic songs from artists like The Rolling Stones, Patti Smith, The Kinks, and, of course, Lou Reed.