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Wenders has crafted a film of deceptive simplicity, depicting the story of Hirayama (Kōji Yakusho), who seems utterly content with the daily routine of his life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. “Like Groundhog Days”, says Wenders, “but whereas Bill Murray tries to escape the repetitive nature of his existence, Hirayama embraces it. In Japanese culture, in pottery for example, there is an emphasis on the nobility of the process – the potter’s secret is doing it for the first time each time, and for our man, Hirayama, it’s the same. Each day, he’s doing it for the first time.” Who he is remains cinematically intriguing, as the film spends its latter half slowly unraveling what lies beneath his veneer of contentment with a series of unexpected encounters. Outside of his very structured daily routine Hirayama enjoys his passion for music and books. The memorable soundtrack includes Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” – the inspiration for the film’s title. Wenders observes the tiny details of a routine existence with such clarity, soulfulness and empathy that they build a cumulative emotional power almost without you noticing. A deeply moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us. ~OY