In today’s video, a brief philosophical reflection in the film “Perfect Days”, by Wim Wenders. Thanks for watching, Julian #perfectdays #movies #art #minimalism
I work nights in sanitation and spend most of my time alone, so this movie felt familiar to me. One bit you left out was the interaction beneath the bridge. I think both men were contemplating suicide. When they talk about darkness overlapping each other, I think the cleaner struggles with the fact that his body wont cause any ripples when he expires. When they play shadow tag, it's a bit like two doomed men making a connection. Trees get peed on, pooed on, they put up with pollution and noise. Yet they continuously give us oxygen, they offer a home to the birds and a playground for the squirrels. They are the definition of unconditional love. Collection books, cassettes and photos are a way of non-conforming, escape and they give him a sense of control. Cleaning is control. Cleaning is a form of chaos, reverse chaos.
Yes I also felt that he felt trapped in his situation and trying to find happiness in small things in his life. The final scene was a complex emotion. But I felt he was trapped.
@ndafyst4769 not every time. But when his mind start thinking of what better life the he could have lived then he start feeling sad. You can see during the work overtime part. Most probably it occurred frequently like in most of japan. You can see his intelligence is a mismatch from his work and colleagues. That's why he don't talk much to them. Additionally the song house of the rising sun was played a few times in the movie reaffirming that he was not satisfied of his current situation but he could not do anything about it. So he goes about his difficulties trying to find happiness in daily things.
A simple man who knows that everything begins and ends on himself only the one who knows who he is The one who understands mother nature ❤ a complete men who do his work perfectly 🙏🏻
The film was so soothing, centered around the joy of little things, the appreciating of beauty that goes unnoticed and doing things for their own sake. I loved it and loved your analysis of it. In fact, I came to know of it through your video and came back here after I watched the movie. Lots of thanks!!
Yes definitely, right up until the final scene. Then you should realize something deeper but.... Yes derp! Happy because its a new day! Yay! Smoothbrain4lyfe!
Great analysis. This movie is certainly worth analyzing from a psychological point of view. I liked the focus of the character enjoying the details of life, but I also felt that it was a way to forget or overcome an event from the past that led him to this point.
The main character’s backstory, is he came from wealth but had a falling out with his father…so he was able to make his own wealth…but one of internal happiness. He also extends love and nonjudgmental behavior. Takes photos to remind him of moments. Next Time is next time. Now is now. …he is broken and yet unbroken at the end. Perfect days is perfect.
Enjoyed this analysis! I watched the film and it felt to me like the main character probably has a harsh father with high expectations and he separated himself from his rich family for good because of his differences, so he bears guilt and shame. He is probably on the autistic spectrum which is why he is introverted and sensitive to his surroundings. That's why control and order are important to him and why he can only gain that perfect control at home - in his own world. That could also perhaps explain why he seems to have a child-like mindset forever as he connects with children easily and tries to comfort the restaurant owner's ex-husband with a kid's game. And at the end, the main character cries in his car, he's probably thinking about his dying father and himself perhaps dying alone one day. The prettier the view, the stronger the sadness, that all because of sacrificing for that beautiful moment, he has no one to share it with and will one day leave the world alone. So existential crisis.
I really enjoyed that movie: the acting performances, the tokyo planes, the modern bathrooms, the soundtrack, the way in which time and repetition was portrayed as you said, etc. Love the way the movie doesn't exactly praise that lifestyle (nor condemns it) and that is also possible, valid, normal to renounce to the imposed pursuit of success or progress in the hierarchy scale. He is a failure but who isn't? Anyway, love asian movies. Regards from Bogotá.
What a thoughtful analysis, very inspired and thorough. Perfect days is such a beautiful film. You touched on many of the philosophical underpinnings and nuanced meanings that make this film so powerful. Happy to discover your channel. Bravo!
Great analysis. Thanks for bringing the Schopenhauer piece in. Amazing! I think we have to pay attention to the lyrics in all the songs he is listening to. They are telling us his story as well. He bluntly and unequivocally had abandoned whatever "sin and misery " happened in his life before; his father, the privileged life of his sister, the superficial society that still can't value it's own shit. I'm feeling good is coming from his acceptance that we can only make the best from what life has thrown at us and both Nina Simone and Hirayama deservingly claim Oh, freedom is mine...
What's even more beautiful than the film..is your way of interpretation of every little detail which makes me believe that you have what the character has. I found myself asking.. why was he taking pictures like this and waiting to see how they came out.. why don't he look through the lens and take the picture as he wants it to be? Also, when he cried after he saw his sister, I wished I knew more, I started asking" why are you crying!?" But your perspective on this movie made me love it even more
Nice comments. Yet, I would like to say, it was sunrise, not the sunset at the end of movie, that, for me, represents rise of "another day", resembles as a regularity. Signification of in significant is a keyword of this movie from my point of view. Another detail was the watch, that he was not wearing during the workdays, but only on of days. Lastly, I believe there was something about dreams, yet I could not figured it out; waiting for the second watch to reveal. Thanks for the video.
Thank you for doing this. I enjoyed it and found it very interesting. I loved the movie and reflect on it regularly. I saw the beauty of cultivating simple pleasures and routine but also the occasional loneliness and wish to engage in the bittersweet world of human relationships. The lady who he admired and his grief when he saw her embracing another man for example.
Thank you very much! I appreciate your insights indeed. I would like to add that the hero deals with death and dying in three scenes: first with his sister who tells him of their father who is deteriorating. Then the scene with the old man who cannot recall what used to be on that building site and says that getting old is awful. Last is the meeting with the cancer patient. The movie is stunning, and for me, these three instances add another deep dimension to the already profound story.
In my opinion, the sister scene gave us a little bit of background of the main character. If you noticed, when the sister said that is he really a toilet cleaner... perhaps the main character had a different job, maybe he had a higher economic position like her sister and he left that way of life. He realized that money does not mean that will give him happiness. I still wonder what happened with the relationship with his dad, that does not want to confront him...
Thank you for continuing your work and enriching my life with your thoughts and reflections. This was a lovely movie, and this is a lovely and deep reflection, thank you. I think you are reminding me also of Dogen's words: Enlightenment is practice, and practice is enlightenment (and enlightenment isn't special).
This was an excellent film. I watched it twice right after learning about it during last year’s Oscar’s. The music was perfect like the philosophy of the film.
To me this movie shows a story of a man who moved himself out of society. I don't see that much of soothing in there. He paid attention to the details, and was greatful for every day. But the fact that he didn't moved on in his life and stuck in daily routine hints that something went wrong. I definitely disagree with the last scene. He cries and laugh at the same time. I wouldn't call it happy ending. Rather I see a man fighting everyday for inner peace.
mqybe the black and white shapes/frames represents his fantasy/alternative life ,in the beginning of the movie we see it's unclear and maybe it's connected to the pictures he takes and finish up by getting rid of them somehow until he meets his niece then the black and white fantasy life becomes clearer (first clear frame is her in the bicycle) then he get a bit frustrated not knowing that is he happy with his life or not
The other interesting moment is that he never uses toilet himself. He starts his day with brushing his teeth. Interesting why he is never shown using the toilet.
Has he chosen to remove himself from the world or has he been pushed out/didnt fit in? Can someone who has been pushed out really build his own world and be happy there? If he left the world himself why did he not remove himself completely? Why not become a monk? And most importantly, how can someone who consumes so much of the World through text, music etc claim to have left the world?
I am really conflicted with this movie. I disagree that he was happy. I think that he tried to be happy with some success.In my opinion something happened which pushed him to the shadows of society. He might be hurt badly in the past, stuck in the analogue era shows definitely that, at some point he was youthful, and dreamy. He basically stuck in the past, while enjoying NOW It might be just the escape from reality.
Maybe the toilet system of showing if it is empty or someone is in it might be a symbol of the character's 'voyeurisme' (or I think you said flâneur?). When he is inside, he can see the outside, but he's not seen. He can participate yet he will not be recognized.
A pose of an intellectual who loves himself. Throughout your entire video. Making comments about a movie in which what matters is, precisely, the image of what is the opposite. Surely what you say is good, due to the amount of applause; but I can see that you do it for the applause, not for the conviction.
I dont under on one hand he is a failure in relationship and career terms , in eyes of soceity but hes happy inside . But is this practical in real life? It confusing
I've watched about 4 reviews on youtube on this movie, and 3 of them totally miss the mark. Why are you ignoring the final scene? Its clearly the most important and meaningful moment of the entire movie? It should at the very least lead you to question if the little smile at the beginning of the day is actually happiness or what happiness even means to the main character. But nope. Ignored. Just like the other 75%+ of you "movie reviewers". I guess not speaking the language the movie is actually written in is also a great hindrance to your understanding but still. How can you just ignore the most important moment of the entire movie and feel satisfied pontificating on your "philosophy" without even batting an eye. So cringe.
@Pipes804 I'm sure it's quite simple. The movie is a commentary on the human condition and how intrinsically linked it is to feelings of self-worth or value. The main character represents the inner turnoil we all experience between individual expression and "societal" acknowledgment thereof. As the director comments, he lives each day doing exactly what *he* wants--"free" of the judgment of others. Or so it should be, but the final scene as well as several moments throughout expose a deeper truth. Thus, a deeper commentary on the nature of happiness and its link to "society". It's so telling that the story is told about a Japanese man in Japan. A place where the idea of society is much more strongly felt than in other more liberal countries.
@Pipes804 I think the moments where "judgment" is cast upon the main character are perhaps the most poignant and subtle parts of the film. The way the mother whisks away the lost child he helps while wiping the hand he held as if it were dirty, without a word of thanks. The way his coworkers treats him and the job they do together. The kiss of pity given to him by the coworkers female friend after her secret is slightly exposed. And perhaps most powerful, the way that the scenes where he is eating lunch in the park, gazing up at the trees and smiling, then being stared at rudely by a nearby female office worker is juxtaposed with the scenes where he observes the homeless man, pretending to be a tree of all things. You'll notice that the expression he has when observing said homeless man mirrors the expression the female office worker wears when staring at him smiling while gazing up at trees, taking pictures of the light silhouette, all while dressed in his toilet cleaner uniform. It almost forces the audience to imagine her thoughts. "Why do you pretend like you're so happy?". And thus the main characters thoughts when observing the homeless man, "why are you pretending to be a tree?"
@Pipes804 right or wrong, it's at least an attempt. I just can't understand how these "reviewers" are just literally ignoring the final scene. What is the thought process? He's so happy he starts crying like a madman? Ridiculous.
For more, visit: www.patreon.com/julianphilosophy
I work nights in sanitation and spend most of my time alone, so this movie felt familiar to me. One bit you left out was the interaction beneath the bridge. I think both men were contemplating suicide. When they talk about darkness overlapping each other, I think the cleaner struggles with the fact that his body wont cause any ripples when he expires. When they play shadow tag, it's a bit like two doomed men making a connection. Trees get peed on, pooed on, they put up with pollution and noise. Yet they continuously give us oxygen, they offer a home to the birds and a playground for the squirrels. They are the definition of unconditional love.
Collection books, cassettes and photos are a way of non-conforming, escape and they give him a sense of control. Cleaning is control. Cleaning is a form of chaos, reverse chaos.
Thank you for your insight!
Yes I also felt that he felt trapped in his situation and trying to find happiness in small things in his life. The final scene was a complex emotion. But I felt he was trapped.
@@azeoprop you think he cried every time?
@ndafyst4769 not every time. But when his mind start thinking of what better life the he could have lived then he start feeling sad. You can see during the work overtime part. Most probably it occurred frequently like in most of japan. You can see his intelligence is a mismatch from his work and colleagues. That's why he don't talk much to them. Additionally the song house of the rising sun was played a few times in the movie reaffirming that he was not satisfied of his current situation but he could not do anything about it. So he goes about his difficulties trying to find happiness in daily things.
A simple man who knows that everything begins and ends on himself only the one who knows who he is The one who understands mother nature ❤ a complete men who do his work perfectly 🙏🏻
"One must imagine Sisyphus happy" Camus
daaaamn what a catch, well done
The film was so soothing, centered around the joy of little things, the appreciating of beauty that goes unnoticed and doing things for their own sake. I loved it and loved your analysis of it. In fact, I came to know of it through your video and came back here after I watched the movie. Lots of thanks!!
Yes definitely, right up until the final scene. Then you should realize something deeper but.... Yes derp! Happy because its a new day! Yay! Smoothbrain4lyfe!
Would you please provide me the link of the full movie perfect days. I can,t find it ! Regards. Ms Jahanara
Correct you are !
Great analysis. This movie is certainly worth analyzing from a psychological point of view.
I liked the focus of the character enjoying the details of life, but I also felt that it was a way to forget or overcome an event from the past that led him to this point.
The main character’s backstory, is he came from wealth but had a falling out with his father…so he was able to make his own wealth…but one of internal happiness. He also extends love and nonjudgmental behavior. Takes photos to remind him of moments. Next Time is next time. Now is now. …he is broken and yet unbroken at the end. Perfect days is perfect.
Enjoyed this analysis! I watched the film and it felt to me like the main character probably has a harsh father with high expectations and he separated himself from his rich family for good because of his differences, so he bears guilt and shame. He is probably on the autistic spectrum which is why he is introverted and sensitive to his surroundings. That's why control and order are important to him and why he can only gain that perfect control at home - in his own world. That could also perhaps explain why he seems to have a child-like mindset forever as he connects with children easily and tries to comfort the restaurant owner's ex-husband with a kid's game. And at the end, the main character cries in his car, he's probably thinking about his dying father and himself perhaps dying alone one day. The prettier the view, the stronger the sadness, that all because of sacrificing for that beautiful moment, he has no one to share it with and will one day leave the world alone. So existential crisis.
The first thing that tipped me off about him being on the spectrum was he is mostly nonverbal, thank you for your imput!!
I wish people would stop cnnecting being introverted and liking order with autism.
What an amazing analysis! Thank you!
Beautifully articulated perspective
I really enjoyed that movie: the acting performances, the tokyo planes, the modern bathrooms, the soundtrack, the way in which time and repetition was portrayed as you said, etc.
Love the way the movie doesn't exactly praise that lifestyle (nor condemns it) and that is also possible, valid, normal to renounce to the imposed pursuit of success or progress in the hierarchy scale.
He is a failure but who isn't? Anyway, love asian movies. Regards from Bogotá.
What a thoughtful analysis, very inspired and thorough. Perfect days is such a beautiful film. You touched on many of the philosophical underpinnings and nuanced meanings that make this film so powerful. Happy to discover your channel. Bravo!
Great analysis. Thanks for bringing the Schopenhauer piece in. Amazing! I think we have to pay attention to the lyrics in all the songs he is listening to. They are telling us his story as well. He bluntly and unequivocally had abandoned whatever "sin and misery " happened in his life before; his father, the privileged life of his sister, the superficial society that still can't value it's own shit. I'm feeling good is coming from his acceptance that we can only make the best from what life has thrown at us and both Nina Simone and Hirayama deservingly claim Oh, freedom is mine...
What's even more beautiful than the film..is your way of interpretation of every little detail which makes me believe that you have what the character has. I found myself asking.. why was he taking pictures like this and waiting to see how they came out.. why don't he look through the lens and take the picture as he wants it to be? Also, when he cried after he saw his sister, I wished I knew more, I started asking" why are you crying!?" But your perspective on this movie made me love it even more
thank you for your effort, I rarely watch movies and I love this one.
Nice comments. Yet, I would like to say, it was sunrise, not the sunset at the end of movie, that, for me, represents rise of "another day", resembles as a regularity. Signification of in significant is a keyword of this movie from my point of view.
Another detail was the watch, that he was not wearing during the workdays, but only on of days.
Lastly, I believe there was something about dreams, yet I could not figured it out; waiting for the second watch to reveal.
Thanks for the video.
Thank you for this comment. It made me realize the importance of the image of “sunrise” instead of sunset. Made me appreciate it in a new way.
I totally agreed. The main character is completely centered and living in the present here and now.
one of the best analysis i have seen on the internet , thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about this movie
Thank you for doing this. I enjoyed it and found it very interesting.
I loved the movie and reflect on it regularly. I saw the beauty of cultivating simple pleasures and routine but also the occasional loneliness and wish to engage in the bittersweet world of human relationships. The lady who he admired and his grief when he saw her embracing another man for example.
Hirayama is a dream facilitator for those around him.
Thank you very much! I appreciate your insights indeed. I would like to add that the hero deals with death and dying in three scenes: first with his sister who tells him of their father who is deteriorating. Then the scene with the old man who cannot recall what used to be on that building site and says that getting old is awful. Last is the meeting with the cancer patient. The movie is stunning, and for me, these three instances add another deep dimension to the already profound story.
In my opinion, the sister scene gave us a little bit of background of the main character. If you noticed, when the sister said that is he really a toilet cleaner... perhaps the main character had a different job, maybe he had a higher economic position like her sister and he left that way of life. He realized that money does not mean that will give him happiness. I still wonder what happened with the relationship with his dad, that does not want to confront him...
Just starting to listen now, and want to say how glad I was to see you’d made a video about this very beautiful film!
This gave me a great flashback to my art school lectures. Great warm feeling. Thank you friend, lovely analysis.
I found this film very moving as well. Great analysis as always!
Thank you for continuing your work and enriching my life with your thoughts and reflections. This was a lovely movie, and this is a lovely and deep reflection, thank you. I think you are reminding me also of Dogen's words: Enlightenment is practice, and practice is enlightenment (and enlightenment isn't special).
This is one of my new favourite movies
Yepp, I understand your analysis exactly ! I absolutely loved the movie "Perfect Days" !!!! Super. This is an award winning film totally.
This was an excellent film. I watched it twice right after learning about it during last year’s Oscar’s. The music was perfect like the philosophy of the film.
To me this movie shows a story of a man who moved himself out of society. I don't see that much of soothing in there.
He paid attention to the details, and was greatful for every day. But the fact that he didn't moved on in his life and stuck in daily routine hints that something went wrong.
I definitely disagree with the last scene. He cries and laugh at the same time. I wouldn't call it happy ending. Rather I see a man fighting everyday for inner peace.
Good point about the sanctity of Hirayama's actions. Hadn't thought of it like that.
I loved this movie, looking forward to see Julian's take on it !
Beautiful movie. Beautiful analysis.
What do you think about the girl that was always there at the temple around lunch time?
mqybe the black and white shapes/frames represents his fantasy/alternative life ,in the beginning of the movie we see it's unclear and maybe it's connected to the pictures he takes and finish up by getting rid of them somehow until he meets his niece then the black and white fantasy life becomes clearer (first clear frame is her in the bicycle) then he get a bit frustrated not knowing that is he happy with his life or not
I would love to hear your analysis on not just newly released film, for example the way you briefly discussed apocalypse now in the dune 2 lecture
Beautiful review! Thanks a lot!
I found your analysis so beautiful and thought-provoking. Could you share your thoughts on the music chosen?
Please do Zone of Interest! Would love you to explore it through dialectal lens
yes noknowlngly most of us keep wasting time on dealing with never ending backdrop filled with emotional others..
great review .. appreciated
♥️♥️♥️ Your review is riveting, I only hope to write half as good
Great review!
Amazing review :)
What would be Zizek's take on antinatalism,or psicoanalisis take on antinatalism?
What did you think of the books he reads?
It's been a while since i visited your channel and it seems that all of your older videos are gone... Did you delete them? If so, why?
The other interesting moment is that he never uses toilet himself. He starts his day with brushing his teeth. Interesting why he is never shown using the toilet.
Amazing video
How similar to Wings of Desire themes .. instead of a higher form of life an angel we have someone of supposed lower social status.
Has he chosen to remove himself from the world or has he been pushed out/didnt fit in? Can someone who has been pushed out really build his own world and be happy there?
If he left the world himself why did he not remove himself completely? Why not become a monk?
And most importantly, how can someone who consumes so much of the World through text, music etc claim to have left the world?
I am really conflicted with this movie. I disagree that he was happy. I think that he tried to be happy with some success.In my opinion something happened which pushed him to the shadows of society. He might be hurt badly in the past, stuck in the analogue era shows definitely that, at some point he was youthful, and dreamy.
He basically stuck in the past, while enjoying NOW It might be just the escape from reality.
Maybe the toilet system of showing if it is empty or someone is in it might be a symbol of the character's 'voyeurisme' (or I think you said flâneur?). When he is inside, he can see the outside, but he's not seen. He can participate yet he will not be recognized.
why did you stop talking at the end ? i want an hour version of this video !!!!!!
Every day little birth, little death
Surplus enjoyment - habit, attention to detail
well said ....
Hello everybody shrouded hand here
who does this guy remind me of
A pose of an intellectual who loves himself. Throughout your entire video. Making comments about a movie in which what matters is, precisely, the image of what is the opposite. Surely what you say is good, due to the amount of applause; but I can see that you do it for the applause, not for the conviction.
I dont under on one hand he is a failure in relationship and career terms , in eyes of soceity but hes happy inside . But is this practical in real life? It confusing
Silent witness** 🤫 🙊 😶
🩵🩵🩵🎉🎉🎉
What happened to ur eyebrow
🐳🐳🐳
The guy was abused by his father ! There not hard your over thinking
What?
I've watched about 4 reviews on youtube on this movie, and 3 of them totally miss the mark. Why are you ignoring the final scene? Its clearly the most important and meaningful moment of the entire movie? It should at the very least lead you to question if the little smile at the beginning of the day is actually happiness or what happiness even means to the main character. But nope. Ignored. Just like the other 75%+ of you "movie reviewers". I guess not speaking the language the movie is actually written in is also a great hindrance to your understanding but still. How can you just ignore the most important moment of the entire movie and feel satisfied pontificating on your "philosophy" without even batting an eye. So cringe.
You even quote schopenhauer who wrote extensively on people fooling themselves into notions of happiness or fulfillment. Gawd.
Feel free to actually state your interpretation instead of just criticizing. I think I may agree with you but I'd rather not assume
@Pipes804 I'm sure it's quite simple. The movie is a commentary on the human condition and how intrinsically linked it is to feelings of self-worth or value.
The main character represents the inner turnoil we all experience between individual expression and "societal" acknowledgment thereof. As the director comments, he lives each day doing exactly what *he* wants--"free" of the judgment of others.
Or so it should be, but the final scene as well as several moments throughout expose a deeper truth. Thus, a deeper commentary on the nature of happiness and its link to "society". It's so telling that the story is told about a Japanese man in Japan. A place where the idea of society is much more strongly felt than in other more liberal countries.
@Pipes804 I think the moments where "judgment" is cast upon the main character are perhaps the most poignant and subtle parts of the film.
The way the mother whisks away the lost child he helps while wiping the hand he held as if it were dirty, without a word of thanks.
The way his coworkers treats him and the job they do together. The kiss of pity given to him by the coworkers female friend after her secret is slightly exposed.
And perhaps most powerful, the way that the scenes where he is eating lunch in the park, gazing up at the trees and smiling, then being stared at rudely by a nearby female office worker is juxtaposed with the scenes where he observes the homeless man, pretending to be a tree of all things. You'll notice that the expression he has when observing said homeless man mirrors the expression the female office worker wears when staring at him smiling while gazing up at trees, taking pictures of the light silhouette, all while dressed in his toilet cleaner uniform.
It almost forces the audience to imagine her thoughts. "Why do you pretend like you're so happy?". And thus the main characters thoughts when observing the homeless man, "why are you pretending to be a tree?"
@Pipes804 right or wrong, it's at least an attempt. I just can't understand how these "reviewers" are just literally ignoring the final scene. What is the thought process? He's so happy he starts crying like a madman? Ridiculous.
Can we get one on past lives?