“KOJI SIT AND WORKED WITH THE MEN”
Wenders stated that they conducted research on the daily routine of cleaning workers while working on the movie “Perfect Days” and said:
“We both took lessons in different ways. Koji sat with the guys, studied. He took more in-depth lessons. So I met the guy. I sat and watched what his life was like. I tried to guess. He had to be there for the entire shoot so we could ask technical questions. That’s what we did.” “We always wanted to be there to see how he did it and how he cleaned it. He was a very kind person. I know that at the end of the movie, he offered Koji the job of head cleaner so that he could retire.”
Regarding where the name of the movie came from, Wenders said, “One day, we shot a scene. Our character was listening to the song ‘Perfect Day’. We both knew what we were thinking. ‘From now on, the name of the movie will be Perfect Days.’ “I wanted not only the word but also the idea itself to be popular,” he said.
Stating that the producer of the film chose the toilets where the shooting scenes would take place, Wenders said that they used the toilets designed for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
“WHEN I RECEIVED THE INVITATION, I DECIDED TO COME IMMEDIATELY, I DID NOT WANT TO WAIT”
Stating that he wanted to come to Istanbul since he heard the song “Flying to Istanbul/Tonde Istanbul” by Japanese musician Mayo Shouno and that he was very happy to finally be here, Koji Yakusho said, “I received an invitation for the first time and decided to come directly. I did not want to wait at all.” said.
Saying that “toilets also have souls” based on movie scenes, Yakusho said, “Every object, every living thing has a soul. Whenever I clean or clean the toilet, I feel like that soul will protect me and bring me happiness. That’s why I’m always aware. The holy spirit is for me.” “I know the role he has undertaken,” he said.
Yakusho stated that he spent long hours with the toilet cleaner while working on the film and said, “I had the chance to spend time with him. I learned how he felt, how he did his job, what methods he used. I actually learned a lot from him.”
Stating that Türkiye and Japan are two countries that love each other very much and have good relations, Yakusho said:
“We also know that Turkish people are people who admire Japanese culture and whom we also appreciate. Years ago, during our prime minister’s visit to Istanbul, I learned the following; ‘Think of the flags of two countries. One has the moon and stars. The other has the sun. They come together. ‘When they come, all the heavens come together.’ “I hope our film will further contribute to the relations in both countries.”
HIS AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED
Koji Yanai, the producer of Wenders’ film “Perfect Days”, which won Yakusho the “Best Actor Award” at Cannes, co-producer Takuma Takasaki, who wrote the script of the film together with Wim Wenders, Chisato Minami, one of the co-producers, and Istanbul Film Festival Director Kerem Ayan, MUBI’s founder Efe Çakarel and cinema critic Engin Ertan attended the meeting as moderators.
The festival’s “Cinema Honor Award” will be presented to Wenders this evening, and to Yakusho tomorrow at Atlas 1948.
Among the films shown in the “Koji Yakusho in Four Films” section of the festival, “Perfect Days” will meet the audience tomorrow at 19.00 at Atlas 1948, and “13 Assassins” will meet the audience at Nişantaşı Cinewam City’s on April 28.
