PERFECT DAYS opens February 7

Now and then, an international film captures the hearts, minds and souls of the moviegoing population with a story that transcends language and culture. We’ve seen it in the past with beloved French movies like AMELIE, emotionally-driven Italian gems like LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL, and more recently, the Japanese drama film, DRIVE MY CAR. What all three of those movies have in common, besides being beautiful both in story and imagery, is the fact they all won the Academy Awards® for Best International Feature. And the upcoming Oscar® nominee, PERFECT DAYS, could join that prestigious list.

The 2023 Japanese film, which will soon be coming to AMC Theatres locations nationwide, tells a story about searching for beauty in the most mundane of tasks and situations as told through the eyes of a solitary toilet cleaner. Below are a few things to know about the movie before it comes to your local theatre and perhaps before it takes home the big prize at the Oscars.

A Janitor With An Extraordinary Philosophy

PERFECT DAYS follows Hirayama (Koji Yakusho), a seemingly normal janitor living in Tokyo, a public toilet cleaner who takes great pride in his work and solitary life. Despite the mundane nature of his job and the rigidity of his day-to-day life, the aging man is content with a life filled with listening to old cassette tapes, reading books, taking photos of trees and tending to his garden. Through conversations, interactions, and unplanned experiences with those around him, the peaceful and content Hirayama begins to reflect on the beauty of the world while also sharing his philosophy and love of life with those around him.

Koji Yakusho Leads The Cast

Koji Yakusho is the main draw of PERFECT DAYS with his heartwarming and inspiring portrayal of Hirayama. Though some may not recognize his name, there’s a good chance they have seen at least one of his films. Over the years, the Japanese actor has appeared in great samurai films like 13 ASSASSINS, epic period dramas like MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, psychological thrillers like CURE and countless others, receiving multiple awards and accolades during that time.

Yakusho isn’t alone in PERFECT DAYS, however, as actors like Tokio Emoto, Ymu Aso, Sayuri Ishikawa, Arisa Nakano and several others share at least one scene with the legendary actor.

Wim Wenders Directs

Though PERFECT DAYS is a Japanese film in just about every way including its setting and the language spoken throughout, the film was actually helmed by German filmmaker Wim Wenders. Throughout his nearly 60-year career, Wenders has directed iconic cinematic experiences like SUMMER IN THE CITY, ALICE IN THE CITIES, WINGS OF DESIRE and PARIS, TEXAS, as well as a dozen documentary films. In fact, Wenders is a three-time Oscar nominee after receiving Academy Award® nominations for Best Documentary Feature for his work on BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, PINA and SALT OF THE EARTH.

In addition to directing PERFECT DAYS, Wenders co-wrote the film’s screenplay with Takuma Takashi, the Japanese filmmaker behind films like UENO JURI AND THE FIVE BAGS, HONOKAA BOY and CAMOUFLAGE.

An Oscar Nominee

When the 2024 Academy Award nominees were announced in January 2024, PERFECT DAYS was included in the list of titles in the Best International Feature Film category, which also includes IO CAPITANO, SOCIETY OF THE SNOW, THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE and THE ZONE OF INTEREST. If Wim Wenders’ latest film does win the prestigious award in March 2024, it will become only the third Japanese movie to take the category, joining DEPARTURES and DRIVE MY CAR.

Leading up to the Oscars, PERFECT DAYS has already received several significant accolades at the Cannes Film Festival, the César Awards, the Asia Pacific Screen Awards and at multiple other international ceremonies and festivals since its 2023 premiere.

Watch The Trailer

If you want to get a feel for the tone and look of PERFECT DAYS, all you have to do is check out its enchanting trailer. Set to Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day,” which hasn’t been used in a movie this well since maybe Danny Boyle’s TRAINSPOTTING, the nearly two-minute clip offers quick glimpses into Hirayama’s simple, peaceful and pleasant existence as he spends his time cleaning toilets, riding his bike, reading books and taking care of his plants.

If you are looking for a great way to spend a couple of hours, expand your horizons and watch what could end up being an Academy Award-winning film, then make sure to check out PERFECT DAYS when it comes to an AMC Theatres location near you. In the meantime, don’t forget to check out AMC Scene for the latest news and features on everything else coming to the big screen this year.

 PERFECT DAYS opens February 7