Why Everyone Should See the Film "Perfect Days" From a Therapist's Perspective
Author: Sarah Murray
Have you ever watched a movie and couldn't help but feel every emotion of the protagonist? You find yourself smiling with them or crying with them. Have you ever felt cinematography, sound and imagery calm your body and mind? “Perfect Days” is a film by Wim Wenders that will guide you through this kind of experience. It is a meditative, empathetic journey through the eyes of a man who enjoys the simple things in life as a public toilet cleaner in Tokyo, Japan.
The importance of self regulation and co-regulation
Hirayama, played by Kôji Yakusho is a man who embraces each day in routine, deep breaths and little joys. You are not only a witness to his ability to regulate his emotions through nature, reading and music. This film is co-regulation through cinema if we allow ourselves to be fully present with Hirayama. Emotional regulation means “the ability of an individual to modulate an emotion or set of emotions.” Co-regulation is the process of emotionally regulating with another such as “a warm, calming presence and tone of voice, verbal acknowledgement of distress, modeling of behaviors that can modulate arousal, and the provision of a structured environment that supports emotional and physical safety.” As we become present in each moment with him, we realize how inviting this kind of presence is for us.
What does Hirayama’s perspective remind us?
1. Be present and cherish the small moments each day
His soft smile is captivating as he wakes up early and gets a start to the day before everyone else. He notices each person around him — how they express themselves, how they see the world. He is drawn to others that value his way of life and they are drawn to him.
2. Maintain our close and healthy relationships
His relationship with his niece, played by Arisa Nakano, shows us the importance of maintaining relationships with those that invite us to a healthy, creative and active life. His niece appears to slow down with him and as Hirayama continues to observe the world around him, his niece tries to see things through his uncle's new perspective on life.
3. Routine and minimalism is important
He lives each day with routine as this allows him to maintain balance and a minimalist lifestyle. With this, he is able to reduce his stress levels and maintain this mindful moment to moment and grateful perspective. He is able to notice the changes around him more as he maintains his consistency.
4. Take pride in our work everyday
This man works as a public toilet cleaner cleaning the same park bathrooms throughout Tokyo, Japan. Some may underestimate or overlook this job as mundane, dirty, low paying and motonetas but Hirayama’s contentedness, optimism and persistence shines through as he smiles about his day noticing his surroundings and cleaning diligently. He notices the changes in nature, the locals that visit and he appears to appreciate the simplicity of his job.
5. It is never too late to change our perspective on life
It is clear that Hirayama has had a challenging past. The audience is left with subtle hints that indicate this. However, he appears to have found peace in solitude and new connections. We are a witness to how internal work, resilience and patience can lead to new perspectives. He is a wonderful example that we don’t have to go with the status quo to be happy.
6. Listen to good music, read new literature or connect to timeless artistry
Hirayama plays his old classic cassette tapes with music from classic artists that also have a taste for living in the moment. He reads a new book every week, attends to his plants every day and takes photos of nature on his film camera in the most carefree way.
7. Be present in nature at least once a day and intentionally notice it
He sits in nature everyday at lunch, takes photos of the trees above him with his film camera and develops them on the weekend to admire the changes he bears witness to. Hirayama appears to honor nature this way as he watches it change around him each day, each week and every season.
8. Healing is a choice
He has chosen to find healing with his perspective and this reminds us that it is never too late to choose this for ourselves however we define it. If we slowed down in the way Hirayama did and if we noticed the wonders of each moment, we would allow ourselves to invite gratitude.
9. Our environment impacts our health
He is incredibly intentional and careful to surround himself with the place and people that are restorative, gentle and aligned to his nature. We should be more attentive to how our environment impacts our well being and restores our energy rather than depletes it.
Does a life of complexity eventually inspire us to find a life of simplicity?
“Perfect Days” directed by Wim Wenders and written by Wim Wenders and Takuma Takasaki, is a film everyone should see as it reminds us to live in the present, embrace our solitude, observe the world around us, be open to new experiences and take pride in our everyday commitments both small or large. You can’t help but fall in love with the way Hirayama takes in each moment fully as though he has been born into a new perspective on life. You can’t help but be fascinated by his ability to be curious, observant and patient with the world around him. Was this perspective inspired by cultural Japanese influences or a deep pain that had brought him to a place of wonder? Has his complex early life inspired him to find a life of simplicity? It is worth a watch to sit down and feel present with Hirayama. Enjoy the art of Japanese poetry by truly embracing each moment.