Award for Yakusho from Wim Wenders: 'Not just a very good actor, but much more'

Aslı AĞIRDİL - 12punto.com.tr

Organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV), Turkey's largest cinema event, the Istanbul Film Festival, met with cinephiles for the 43rd time between April 17-28. One of the leading directors of world cinema, Wim Wenders, came to Istanbul for the first time as the festival's guest of honor.

Three of Wenders' films were screened at the festival: his latest film "Anselm," which premiered in Cannes; "Alice in the Cities," which was shown from a copy restored for its 50th anniversary; and Japan's Oscar nominee "Perfect Days," in which Koji Yakusho delivers a marvelous performance.

Koji Yakusho, who won the Best Actor award at the 76th Cannes Film Festival for the film "Perfect Days," was also in Istanbul. Yakusho, who is awarded for almost every role he takes on, was featured in the festival program with four prominent films from his filmography.

Last night, "Perfect Days" was watched for the final time at the Atlas 1453 Cinema with the participation of the film crew. Before the screening, Wim Wenders and Koji Yakusho gave speeches on stage. Just before the film began, Wenders presented the Cinema Honorary Award to Yakusho.

'A WHOLE DIFFERENT LEVEL'

Director Wim Wenders made statements about Koji Yakusho, with whom they worked together on the film "Perfect Days." Stating that Yakusho is an actor on a completely different level, Wenders said:

"I have worked with good actors. When you tell good actors how they need to transform into a role, they transform into it. I have also worked with very good actors. When you work with much better actors, your job is much easier; with their help, you believe in the possibility of a life. Yakusho is not just a good actor of a distinct quality, not just a very good actor, he is much more, he is on a whole different level.

Someone who makes us forget that they are an actor, who makes the director forget what they are doing, is not really acting; we can say they have transformed into the character itself. Before I even say what I want, he knows what I will want. He already knows what I hope for from the character, what I expect, down to my dreams about the character. In fact, thanks to this competence of his, I start to feel that I have no work left to do as a director. You are not acting, you are becoming life itself. I don't know how I will tell a story without you from now on. Because I will have to work with other actors. You deserve this award more than all the wonderful actors I have ever known."

'IF I AM STANDING HERE, IT IS THANKS TO THEM'

While expressing his gratitude for the award he received, Koji Yakusho said that the final destination they reached was the Istanbul Film Festival. Yakusho stated:

"I thank you all very much. To my dear Wim Wenders, who brought me to this award, who was involved in the screenplay, the production, and the directing. Of course, we must not forget dear Donata Wenders, Wim's wife, who is also the film's second director and the director of the dream sequences. Their wishes, their passions, and their leadership brought me here for this film.

If I am standing here now, it is thanks to them. The adventure of this 'Perfect Days' film began at the last Cannes Film Festival. We traveled to some of the world's most important festivals. The final destination is right here, the 43rd Istanbul International Film Festival. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for deeming me worthy of this wonderful award at the Istanbul International Film Festival, which is the final destination of this journey of mine."

THE PLOT OF PERFECT DAYS

Inspired by a real urban renewal project called "The Tokyo Toilet," the film takes its name from Lou Reed’s classic song "Perfect Day."

The film focuses on Hirayama, a middle-aged man who lives a humble and serene life, works in public toilet cleaning in Tokyo, and is strictly attached to his routines.

Hirayama’s peaceful and happy daily life, which he pursues with a passion for music, literature, and photography, begins to falter when his estranged sister Keiko’s teenage daughter, Niko, suddenly shows up at his door.

Unexpected encounters that lead Hirayama to reconnect with his past begin to slowly reveal the secret history lying behind his happy life.

News Source: 12punto