Solace in Cinema

Have you ever thought about how beautiful life can be when you slow down and simply live each moment? We are often caught up chasing big dreams, major life events, or drastic changes, believing they will bring us happiness. But what if true happiness is already woven into our everyday lives, hidden in the smallest of routines? That’s exactly what Perfect Days made me feel. Directed by Wim Wenders, this film doesn’t follow a grand narrative or high-stakes drama. Instead, it beautifully captures the everyday life of Hirayama, a public toilet cleaner in Tokyo, who goes about his days with a quiet rhythm and an ever-present, gentle smile. Nothing drastically changes in his life, and yet, there’s something deeply profound about watching him go through his simple routine. Hirayama wakes up at the same time every morning, folds his blanket neatly, waters his plants, listens to his favorite old songs on a cassette player, and heads to work. He cleans Tokyo’s public rest...