Perfect Days: Wim Wenders & Koji Yakusho on That INCREDIBLE Final Shot

Public toilets may not seem like a feature film-worthy topic. To Oscar-nominated filmmaker Wim Wenders, however, the inspiration from The Tokyo Toilet project in a post-pandemic world sparked an idea that would go on to become the critically acclaimed and Oscar nominated movie Perfect Days starring Kōji Yakusho. In celebration of the film's Best International Feature nomination, Wenders and Yakusho joined us for an FYC screening and Q&A at Landmark Theatres in Los Angeles where Collider's Perri Nemiroff sat down with the duo to discuss their experience turning the original pitch of making four or five short films about public toilets in Tokyo into a deeply moving and widely beloved Oscar nominated feature film.
Yakusho leads Perfect Days as Hirayama, a man who enjoys a simple, peaceful routine of watering his plants, painstakingly choosing the perfect tunes for his morning drive to work, reading books, and cleaning the public toilets of Tokyo. As much as Perfect Days is a celebration of the quiet moments in life, Hirayama's untold backstory and the circumstances that led to his meticulously cultivated life run much deeper.
Watch the full Q&A to learn what struck Wenders most about that original pitch, how Kōji Yakusho became attached to the project, why they filmed most of the movie like a documentary, and then some.
#wimwenders #perfectdays #interview #oscars #awards
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[@tonyosime9380]

As I watched the film for the first I could believe how delightful it was. Now I have seen this interview, I want to watch it again. Thank you to everyone who took part in this film. It is a service to humanity.

[@evelyntan5588]

I am not exaggerating when I say that this interview was the best interview of director and actor I’ve ever seen. I hope to see more of her interviews!

[@studio500]

The movie was so emotional and so well crafted. The camera work was subtle but beautifully executed. So glad this movie is getting recognition as it is one of the most thought provoking. emotionally satisfying movie I have seen in recent years. Congratulations to all involved in this masterpiece!!

[@user-bv7nx2rp2s]

Tip of the hat to the interviewer; she asks smart, well structured questions on a stage with heavyweights where it’s hard to hold your own.

[@nicoledonato9773]

YES. I love how she builds the questions.

[@anandiniradha]

One of those movies that really deeply touch the heart, and after watching it you are not the same anymore. Thank you! Wish there were more movies like that.

[@thewebstylist]

First let’s give it up for the amazing seamless translater

[@listenspeaklisten]

translator is amazing. always fascinating how they are able to do so at the moment.

[@tatilopespt]

I’m just halfway through and congratulations to the translator, being able to translate live and this quick its not only a proof of his talent and work but also extremelly tiring. Kudos to him.

[@compactreview]

So few talanted souls can portray such a wondeful place and make such a blessing movie. Thank you! I have had a great time with my family, even an 8 years old girl loved it

[@user-ed4pg4ky7f]

関係者の皆様、素晴らしい映画を有難うございます。浅草ロケ地行きましたよ。後日、渋谷区のトイレもみたいです。映画4回観ました。

[@mbattlecoder]

I understand how this film may have been deeply moving and profound to Westerners not familiar with Zen Buddhism or Eastern Philosophy. It portrayed a character (almost) reaching enlightenment by limiting his attachments to possessions (and people) to make room for the appreciation of his surroundings and beautiful moments in his daily routine. For those familiar with Japanese cinema though, I think most will recognize that many Japanese samurai films have captured the same sense of a quiet life of mindfulness better than this because they contrast it with conflict and higher stakes. It was nice to see a character like this put to film in a modern setting but I'm not sure the cinematography and story structure were quite Oscar worthy for a feature film. At least to me, it felt like it was missing something, even though I understand that it was meant to be extremely subtle and open to interpretation.

[@kaljic1]

Incredible. Only a director like Wim Wenders annd an actor like Koji Yakusho can elevate something so mundane like toilets and make them into fine art.

[@Romalvx]

His touching, long and accomplished smile, the luminous dawn lights,,the trumpeting soul music, I thought that the actor was about to break down in tears..such a high momentum in film history, which will stay with me forever.

[@ross6753]

In the rest of the world, public toilets may not seem like anything, but in Japan and especially in Tokyo they are, and Wenders-sensei sure picked the best ones of all to be in his movie (the one that has glass doors that go dark when someone goes in,and become clear again once they get out 🤩)

[@nederlanditis8154]

Gosh, he aged so well (I thought he was old when Paris Texas came out), aged so well actually that Wes Anderson should put him into one of his films with a cameo (with the moustache), or even better, base a complete character on him.

[@ritahorvath8207]

He spoke in Zurich in march 2019 when Bruno Ganz died. You won't believe how beautiful he was, and how wonderful he spoke .

[@reitocai]

Such a good interview！！Thank you！！！❤

[@dpskipallen]

So happy to see Perri moderating this q & a😂

[@Findyourcall]

Thank you very much for this journey! I loved the every aspect of it!

[@doNaldMusk-h28-hfkslP18]

Great interview, also nice to see Collider is back?!

[@KaspianKinse]

For kings of the road Wim told actor Rüdiger Vogler to shit on film. The result left the cast and crew breathless. It's a masterpiece

[@christianmejia9947]

best scene ever

[@yokoyamasaki7628]

❤ what's a wonderful interview!

[@Ronitbroy]

Lots of love from India ❤

[@alisonliu6929]

Tampopo!❤

[@ritahorvath8207]

Der Film lehrt einen, wie man ein gutes Leben führt, ohne belehrend zu sein.

[@sana-gq2ur]

❤❤❤❤

[@michaelz9892]

I enjoyed the film very much but the final shot reminded me of the end of "Call me by Your Name" which had more emotional impact for me personally.

[@studiodsr]

It’s kind of similar to the final shot of Michael Clayton as well. For me personally the final shot of Perfect Days was the best of all of them

[@MultiSUPERLATIVO]

I would love to have felt the same way a lot of people felt watching this film. I didn't feel anything. A very banal film.

[@namename1515]

I just sat thru this boring film and almost walked out 5 times. It's simply way too slow and repetitive, the directors eye for Japans charm is not much more than that of a tourist. The half hour we sat thru stupid wake up and front door scenes (obviously filmed at the same time), could have been handled in 5 mins. Ok so the protagonist is probably a JOHATSU - big deal, what a revelation! As an audience we don't care about some clever insights you read on the internet. 1000 hard copy photos of trees is simply inconceivable! Shadows upon shadows under the bridge is not going to save this sleeping pill. The restaurant scene was probably the last chance to pull this crock together - but fails with another inconceivable dialogue. Nice try, but I think you have missed the target.

[@cormacbeats]

you're literally the reason this film was made lmfao

[@angelaegan6204]

Poor you!

[@amalaugustine3266]

It's definitely not everybody's cup of tea.

[@stephenhardy6116]

It was made for people who have feelings.. You just stick to your action movies.. This is so above you your the problem not the movie..

[@Ahvahahhhh]

Are you American?