Perfect Days: Philosophical Analysis

Summary

In 'Perfect Days' by Vim Venders, the film explores the meditative life of a Japanese toilet cleaner, challenging traditional notions of heroism. The protagonist's noble dedication to his unappreciated work and his monk-like existence reflect a deeper spiritual energy invested in everyday tasks. The movie delves into themes of class, reality creation, and the joy of analog culture, advocating for presence and appreciation of the moment. It's a poignant portrayal of life's repetitiveness and the pursuit of happiness, suggesting that embracing our 'symptom'—the daily tasks that define us—can lead to a sense of fulfillment and contentment.

Takeaways

• 🎬 'Perfect Days' by Vim Venders is a film that explores the philosophical depth of everyday life through the eyes of a Japanese toilet cleaner.
• 🌅 The film suggests that each day is a new beginning, offering opportunities for joy and fulfillment, akin to Schopenhauer's concept of daily rebirth.
• 🧹 The protagonist, a toilet cleaner, is portrayed as a noble figure due to his dedication and commitment to his undervalued work.
• 👁 The character's invisibility in society reflects on class differences and the different spheres of existence within the same world.
• 📚 The film emphasizes the importance of minimalism and the joy found in analog culture, such as listening to music on cassettes and reading physical books.
• 🛀 The protagonist's meticulous care for his living space and himself is depicted as a spiritual practice, paralleling the life of a monk or saint.
• 🏰 The public toilets, commissioned for the Olympics, are portrayed as temples, symbolizing the sacredness of everyday spaces and acts.
• 📷 The film does not advocate for analog culture over digital media but highlights the value of paying attention to and experiencing the world around us.
• 🚴‍♀️ The mantra 'now is now, and next time is next time' from the film underscores the importance of living in the present moment.
• 🔄 The concept of 'surplus enjoyment' is introduced, where the joy in life comes from repetitive actions and attention to detail.
• 🌉 The film concludes with an optimistic view of life, suggesting that embracing our daily 'symptoms' or routines can lead to happiness and a sense of perfection in ordinary days.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the film 'Perfect Days' by Vim Venders?

The central theme of 'Perfect Days' is the idea that every day represents a little birth and an opportunity to experience joy, as well as a little death when we sleep, reflecting on the concept of eternal recurrence and the pursuit of a full and rich existence.

How does the film depict the main character's occupation?

The main character is a Japanese toilet cleaner, portrayed in a noble and monk-like manner, despite his occupation being considered lowly. His dedication to his work, which goes largely unappreciated, is highlighted as a key participatory mechanism of public life.

What philosophical concept does the film reflect on regarding the character's daily routine?

The film reflects on the concept of 'eternal recurrence', suggesting that every day is an opportunity to live a full and rich existence, and the idea of 'surplus enjoyment', which is the enjoyment derived from repetitive actions and attention to detail.

How does the film explore the idea of different worlds within the same society?

The film explores the idea of different worlds within society through the character's interactions with a homeless person who appears to be in his own fantasy world, and through the character's dialogue that suggests people exist in different spheres of participation and existence.

What is the significance of the character's relationship with his sister in the film?

The character's relationship with his wealthy sister serves as a reflection on class differences and the inability to communicate across these differences, symbolized by their failed attempts to connect and understand each other's worlds.

How does the film approach the topic of analog culture versus digital media?

The film does not suggest that analog culture is inherently better than digital media. Instead, it shows both as means of accessing and experiencing the world in a deeper way, emphasizing the importance of attention and presence in the moment.

What is the role of the public toilets in the film's narrative?

The public toilets, particularly those commissioned for the Olympics, serve as a central location in the film. They are depicted as a kind of temple and a sacred site, symbolizing the character's commitment to his work and his role in facilitating public life.

What is the significance of the character's meticulous care for his living space?

The character's meticulous care for his living space, including cleaning and tending to plants, reflects his monk-like or saint-like existence and his commitment to living a life of perfect habit and repetition.

How does the film depict the character's relationship with time?

The film depicts the character's relationship with time as a repetitive blur, where he exists outside of time and his life becomes a series of repetitive actions. This is highlighted by the mantra 'now is now and next time is next time', emphasizing the importance of being in the present.

What is the philosophical undercurrent regarding happiness in the film?

The philosophical undercurrent regarding happiness in the film is that it comes from identifying with and embracing one's 'symptom', which is the thing one is bound to do each day. Happiness is found in the realization that every day, despite its challenges, can be perfect in its own way.

How does the film end, and what does it suggest about the character's journey?

The film ends on an optimistic note, with the character riding into the sunset like a hero in a Western, contemplating the futility of existence but also the joy and childlike happiness that comes from the realization that every day is, in some way, perfect.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 The Art of Daily Existence: A Philosophical Perspective

This paragraph discusses 'Perfect Days,' a film by Vim vendors, which follows the life of a Japanese toilet cleaner, exploring themes of daily life's beauty and the philosophical concept of eternal recurrence. The protagonist's noble dedication to his undervalued work and his invisible yet essential role in society are highlighted. The film contrasts his saint-like existence with the social outcasts he encounters, suggesting a shared experience of being present yet ignored. It also delves into the minimalistic joys of analog culture, such as listening to music on cassettes and the tactile pleasure of reading physical books, emphasizing the spiritual connection one can have with these activities. The character's meticulous care for his living space and the public toilets he maintains is portrayed as a form of spiritual practice, drawing parallels between his work and the sacredness of temples. The narrative reflects on the idea that attention to detail and persistence in one's actions can lead to a fulfilling life, despite the character's personal failures and isolation.

05:01

📸 Embracing the Present: The Power of Mindful Living

The second paragraph continues the analysis of 'Perfect Days,' focusing on the concept of living in the present moment and the idea of surplus enjoyment derived from repetitive actions and habits. It contrasts digital and analog methods of capturing memories, suggesting that both can deepen one's connection to the world. The paragraph highlights a pivotal moment where the protagonist and his niece share a moment of capturing a tree with different technologies, symbolizing the coexistence of old and new ways of experiencing life. The film's mantra of 'now is now, and next time is next time' is emphasized, advocating for appreciation of the present. The character's repetitive lifestyle is examined, suggesting a state of being outside of time, which leads to a melancholic undertone of existential loss. The film concludes with an optimistic note, proposing that happiness can be found in embracing one's 'symptom,' or the daily rituals that define us, and that every day, despite its imperfections, can be perfect in its own way.

Keywords

💡Eternal Recurrence

Eternal Recurrence is a philosophical concept suggesting that the universe and all events within it will repeat an infinite number of times. In the context of the video, it is used to convey the idea that every day is an opportunity to live a full and rich existence, akin to a 'little birth' and 'little death' with each day and night cycle. The film posits that each day offers a chance to experience joy and to live meaningfully.

💡Irony

Irony is a rhetorical device, literary technique, or event in which there is a contrast between expectation and reality. The script mentions the irony of the film's hero being a toilet cleaner, a role not traditionally seen as heroic. Yet, his dedication to his work and the nobility of his character challenge this expectation, showing that heroism can be found in the most mundane tasks.

💡Minimalism

Minimalism in this context refers to a lifestyle or aesthetic that emphasizes simplicity and the essential elements of life. The video discusses the joy of engaging with analog culture, such as listening to music on cassettes and reading physical books, as opposed to digital media. This minimalism is portrayed as a way to focus on meaningful experiences and objects, fostering a deeper connection with one's surroundings.

💡Surplus Enjoyment

Surplus Enjoyment is a psychoanalytic concept that describes the pleasure derived from engaging in repetitive actions or habits beyond the mere consumption of a thing. The video uses this concept to explore the protagonist's dedication to his routine and the satisfaction he finds in his work, suggesting that happiness can be found in the commitment to daily tasks and attention to detail.

💡Participation

Participation here refers to the involvement or engagement in social or cultural activities. The script discusses how the toilet cleaner's work facilitates public life through access to bathrooms, making him a key participant in society despite his seemingly invisible role. It also touches on the idea that people exist in different 'worlds' of participation, reflecting on class differences and personal realities.

💡Analog Culture

Analog Culture refers to the traditional, non-digital ways of engaging with media and the world, such as listening to music on vinyl records or reading physical books. The video contrasts this with digital culture, suggesting that while analog culture offers a tangible and immersive experience, it is not necessarily superior to digital media. Both can provide deep engagement with the world.

💡Spiritual Energy

Spiritual Energy in the video is the concept of deriving a sense of purpose, fulfillment, or transcendence from everyday actions and attention to detail. The protagonist's meticulous care for his work and living space is likened to a spiritual practice, suggesting that even the most mundane tasks can carry a deeper, more meaningful significance.

💡Existential Experience

Existential Experience pertains to the feelings and realizations about the nature of existence, often involving questions of meaning, purpose, and the human condition. The script mentions a sense of melancholy and the feeling of being lost despite the character's commitment to his work, reflecting on the universal human experience of seeking meaning and fulfillment.

💡The Symptom

The Symptom, as used in the script, refers to a recurring aspect or action in one's life that one is bound to perform, akin to Sisyphus pushing the boulder up the hill. It is the task or habit that defines a person's daily routine and, in the video, is suggested as a source of happiness when embraced and identified with, despite its repetitive and seemingly futile nature.

💡Present Moment

Present Moment emphasizes the importance of being aware and appreciative of the current time, rather than being preoccupied with the past or future. The video uses the mantra 'now is now and next time is next time' to illustrate the protagonist's focus on living in the present, appreciating each day as it comes, and finding joy in the ordinary.

Highlights

The film 'Perfect Days' by Vim vendors is a philosophical exploration of everyday life through the story of a Japanese toilet cleaner.

The movie suggests that every day represents a 'little birth' and an opportunity to experience joy, aligning with Schopenhauer's philosophy of eternal recurrence.

The protagonist, a toilet cleaner, is portrayed as a noble character despite his lowly job, reflecting on the value of unrecognized work.

The film explores the idea of different 'worlds' of existence and participation, highlighting class differences and personal realities.

The character's minimalist lifestyle and participation in analog culture is contrasted with the joys of modern digital media.

Attention to detail and the act of cleaning are depicted as spiritual practices, akin to the habits of a monk or saint.

The character's life is shown as a series of perfect habits and repetitions, emphasizing the beauty of routine.

Despite his noble actions, the protagonist is unable to solve all problems or find a meaningful relationship, suggesting a life outside of the ordinary.

The public toilets, designed for the Olympics, are portrayed as temples, reflecting on the sacredness of everyday spaces.

The film does not advocate for analog culture over digital media but rather the deep experience that both can offer.

The concept of 'surplus enjoyment' is introduced, discussing the joy derived from habits and attention to detail beyond mere consumption.

The character's reading and contemplation are presented as profound moments, slowing down time and immersing the audience in his world.

The film's melancholic undertone suggests that despite our efforts, we may still feel lost or unfulfilled in our existential experience.

The idea of embracing one's 'symptom' or daily struggle as a path to happiness is explored, drawing parallels to Sisyphus pushing his boulder.

The movie concludes on an optimistic note, celebrating the futility of existence and the joy found in recognizing the perfection in each day.

Transcripts

perfect days is the film by Vim vendors

that depicts a Japanese toilet cleaner

and it's an incredible movie it's

wonderfully meditative and wise and in

this short video I would like to attempt

a brief philosophical analysis of this

film in fact the first thing that came

to mind for me was a quote from

schopenhauer where he writes each and

every day represents a little birth and

every day a new youth every evening a

new coming of age and every sleep a

little death and that might as well be

the argument of this film that every day

is a little birth every day is an

opportunity to experience joy and that

in a sense every time you go to sleep it

is also a little death it's about

eternal recurrence as it were how each

and every day represents an opportunity

to live a full and Rich existence and

yet there's a certain irony but perhaps

a philosophically poignant one that the

character who is the hero of the story

is not a hero in any traditional sense

of the word instead he is a mere

supposedly mere toilet cleaner and yet

there's something very Noble indeed in

the manner in which he does this lowest

of work the way in which he commits

himself completely to doing something

that goes unappreciated by others and

that neveress facilitates one of the key

participatory mechanisms of public life

namely access to a bathroom therefore

there is something saint-like indeed

monk likee about his habits about his

attention to detail and the manner in

which he works in a way that makes him

invisible people don't even see him or

recognize him in fact one of the key

recurring sequences in this film is that

he sees a homeless person who appears to

be stuck in a fantasy world of his own

creation he's essentially a

schizophrenic and one imagines that the

toilet cleaner looking at him sees a

sense of recollection in fact he smiles

to himself there's a kinship between the

two men who somehow stand outside of

social life they are both seen and yet

ignored they are there but also not in

fact the film makes the argument through

the character's dialogue later that

people exist in different worlds that

even though we live in one world there

can be different spheres of

participation and existence on the one

hand this is a reflection on class

differences the character has a wealthy

sister but it's also reflection on the

fact that we create a reality of our own

making that we can choose to be happy

that we can choose to be fulfilled as it

were now this movie also reflects on the

minimalism of participating in analog

culture in other words we have a

frequent focus on the joy of listening

with attention to music on cassettes

instead of streaming it on Spotify

there's also an emphasis on the joy of

discovering books and reading them on

the physical quality that comes with

these objects which is therefore uh a

form of love if you will how we are able

to focus on things that therefore become

a meaningful part of our lives in fact

there's something very spiritual about

the way in which the character is

depicted not only cleansing himself at

the Onsen public bath after working in

the public toilets but also the way in

which he meticulously takes care of his

own living space how he cleans the

floors how he sprays the little plants

in the morning essentially he lives a

perfect life a life of perfect habit and

repetition once again there is something

monk-like or saint-like about his

existence which is not to say that his

life is perfect

and said in some ways he is indeed a

failure he is not able to confront his

father who was in the hospital who is

ailing he's not able to solve other

people's problems or save them from

Death he's not able to find a partner or

meaningful relationship himself he

exists outside of life in his own little

world he is a spectator he is almost a

kind of Flur which is to say that he

goes through life seeing others and he

himself simply is passing through and

there's something very beautiful and

meditative about how public life is

constantly taking place around this

character the public toilets and the

remarkable architecture of these toilets

that were commissioned for the Olympics

therefore stand as a kind of Temple

there's a certain irony to the way in

which Vim venders films the public

toilet as a sacred site and there are

certain sequences in the movie in which

he goes from the public toilet to an

actual Temple which isn't to say that

room vendors is trying to suggest that

toilets are are like temples but he is

trying to suggest that the manner in

which we pay attention to the things

around us to the things that we might

take for granted and the energy that we

invest within our work and our life

takes on a kind of spiritual energy as

well and one of the things that I really

loved about this movie was that it

didn't suggest that analog culture is

somehow better than contemporary digital

media it wasn't trying to send a message

about that I think one of the key

sequences is when his niece sits with

him and he takes out a camera and she

has her phone and they both take a

picture of the tree above them this

means that one of them is using digital

technology and the other one an older

technology and fundamentally these are

both means of access to experiencing the

world around you in a more deep way it's

like when you write it down in your

Journal it's not that you've necessarily

recorded anything meaningful it's that

you've paid attention to your

surroundings and therefore feel more

present in the moment indeed he is

confounded when he she then takes out a

camera which he gifted her her

sensibility for photography is therefore

being nurtured by him in a way that he

didn't even realize and one of the most

philosophical moments in this movie is

when they're bicycling over a bridge and

the niece says that she would like to go

to the beach and he says that's for next

time essentially what he's arguing is

that now is now and next time is next

time this becomes a mantra slogan that

they say to each other over and over

again it's about being in the present

about it's about appreciating the

present moment as it were but

fundamentally this also means that this

character exists outside of time it

means that his life becomes a repetitive

blur he does each and everything over

and over again you could say that this

is a movie about the Surplus enjoyment

of habit of repetitive actions there's

nothing remarkable or heroic about what

is do about what he is doing save the

save for the persistence with which he

does it and surplus enjoyment is a

psychoanalytic concept that talks about

the enjoyment that we experience above

and beyond the mere consumption of a

thing

instead we can derive Surplus enjoyment

from a habit we can derive Surplus

enjoyment from attention to detail it's

like in the same way how within the

Christian faith but also within the

Buddhist lens attention to detail is a

form of love and therefore a form of

Grace the manner in which we therefore

cultivate our environments reflect back

onto ourselves this means that one of

the most profound moments in this movie

is precisely when the character is

simply reading when he's simply taking

in a book or ideas this is because

everything slows down the passage of

time in this movie is wonderfully

depicted it's like we go through each

and every day with the character and the

slows down the film and brings us into

the frame into the space of the film as

if we too were experiencing the

day-to-day motions of this habit becomes

a very soothing movie indeed it's

similar to Hay miyazaki's use of time in

his own movies which he depicts as

realists namely often the characters are

sitting doing nothing against a

supposedly neutral backdrop or against a

backdrop filled with the motion of

others and once again we see how the

toilet cleaner is himself in his own

world he's watching the world go by

around him and therefore on the one hand

he is a heroic figure you could say that

this is an Epic movie of very small

proportions but at the same time one

wonders if perhaps he is lacking the

courage to participate in social life as

such we don't know anything about his

background has he been hurt does he

suffer is there something that he cannot

forget or cannot forgo this means that

fundamentally the movie is not

sentimental but there is a certain

Melancholy to the manner in which he

commits himself to the futile task of

doing something which will go

unrecognized by others indeed in a key

sequence he encounters his sister who is

much more Rich than he is at least when

it comes to monetary terms and she

essentially tries to not look down upon

him and he hugs her and we see him

crying afterwards perhaps this is the

crying of the failed communication of

Two Worlds that simply cannot reach each

other anymore therefore this is a movie

that on the one hand posits the idea of

spiritual enlightenment through

repetitive acts of commitment and

through attention to detail and Grace

but at the same time I would say that

the movie contains an undertone of the

human existential experience which that

no matter what world we live in we end

up feeling lost we end up feeling like

it's not enough each and every day all

we can do is try over and over again

this means that fundament L this is a

film about what Lon called the symptom

the symptom is that which you are bound

to do each and every day it's like cisus

pushing that boulder up the hill doomed

and Faded to do it over and over again

and yet somehow happy our symptom is

that thing which we carry with us which

we cannot overcome and fundamentally

happiness therefore comes when we

identify with our symptom when we

embrace it in fact the movie ends on an

optimistic note when the character

riding into the sunset like a hero in a

Western essentially contemplates the

futility of existence but also the joy

and childlike happiness that can come

with the realization that every day is

indeed in some way perfect that is

perfect Days by viin vendors please

don't forget to become a patron