There's tons of movies that I think are a must-see (Tampopo, Roman Holiday, Moonlight, Amelie etc.) and trying to recommend any made me realise how much I love watching films... but I'd start with this one. It's about Living, with a capital T, and it's got plot, beautiful scenery etc. I also think it's a straightforward way to see what films do versus documentaries or other visual media.
I first saw it as a bored volunteer at a film festival, killing time between two other movies I really wanted to see instead hahaha go in with zero expectations.
May 1, 2024
Comments (3)
Make an account to reply.
bellarose ah yes Living with a capital T, because my brain was like -THE Living, but I forget to edit myself.
Related Recs
What a lovely little shadowbox of a film.
The plot concerns a quiet man, Hirayama, who works as a public toilet cleaner in Tokyo's Shibuya ward. And his highly structured, routinized way of living both on the job as well as his leisure time pursuits (his passion for music, played mostly on vintage cassettes in his van throughout the movie; nature photography done the old-fashioned analog way; and reading the works of authors such as Faulkner and Aya Koda). There are some scenes that are highly reminiscent of the way that Sofia Coppola depicted Tokyo in "Lost in Translation" - dreamy, impressionistic, focused on images of beauty and human emotion vs. script that "moves the plot along."
Tokyo is one of my favorite places in the world and it's reminding me I need to get back there soon.
PS: Uncle Lou Reed would have been very proud of this film had he lived to see it.
PPS: Boy is Koji Yakusho amazing in the lead role. No wonder he won best actor at Cannes last year for this performance.
Apr 11, 2024
💖
when I feel shit, these movies pull me out of the abyss without fail and remind me that (1) life is beautiful and meaningful; (2) we can surprise ourselves and do big scary things even if we don't feel like we can; (3) the world is so big and full of wonder and kindness, if we just pay attention; (4) your life is your life, and it will unfold in strange and wonderful ways
Oct 23, 2024
I just saw Win Wenders' "Perfect Days" at the cinema. I know it's already on Mubi and I know it's already been in cinemas in the Northern Hemisphere. But it premiered in São Paulo this week.
I'm not a Win Wenders girl. Sure, he's a tremendous auteur, one of the greats. I was super impacted by the atmosphere of "Der Himmel über Berlin" (which was beautifully titled "Asas do Desejo", in Brazil) and by Nastassja Kinski's pink angora jumper in "Paris Texas," but never became a follower.
And yet: "Perfect Days" is a perfect film, one that only a dedicated filmmaker in complete control of his craft, surrounded by ideal condition, could make.
The synopsis: "Hirayama lives a life of blissful contentment, spending his days balancing his job as a caretaker of Tokyo’s public toilets with his passion for music, literature, and photography. His structured routine is slowly interrupted by unexpected encounters that force him to reconnect with his past."
There's nothing I like more than going to the movies and then going out to eat afterwards, talking about the film on the way, during the meal, and on the way home. The success of the endeavour depends, of course, on the film. There are movies, even some that are very entertaining and enjoyable to watch, that quickly run out of steam. The subject changes, you don't think about what you saw any more, life moves on.
And then there are movies like this one, where a seemingly banal story (the routine of a toilet cleaner in Tokyo) gives way to dreamlike sequences, to display of characters you want to know more about, to being unexpectedly moved to tears, rooting for a beautiful ending for our gentle protagonist (the spectacular Koji Yahusko). And it also talks about photographs, music, books, architecture. It's rare that so much is said in so little time in a film. I left the cinema feeling like I gained two hours of life. Made me want to be a better person, really, it is just beautiful.
10/10. Please, don't miss it.
Mubi: https://mubi.com/en/br/films/perfect-days
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/film/perfect-days-2023/
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTgWYojq-z8
ps: anyone who has ever used a public toilet in São Paulo will be envious of the public toilets in Tokyo.
Feb 18, 2024
Top Recs from @thisismoy
👓
it's totally cool to age and society still isn't equipped to deal with that.
Mar 27, 2024
😵
Sometimes you try your best and everything seems to hit the fan no matter how much you try, so you take that raincheck and take yourself out for a day.
Nov 27, 2024
🥪
This is what I call it hahahah made by mums everywhere but the greased up version is sold along stalls in Mumbai. Two regular slices of white bread, buttered, and the middle filling is cream cheese with red onions, coriander/cilantro, tomatoes and some minced chillis. All veggies chopped mini cube size so they blend with the cheese. Toasted crispy.
Apr 3, 2024