Prof. Dr. Tayfun Doğan, a faculty member at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, examined the film “Perfect Days” from a positive psychology perspective. Doğan evaluated the film by examining it under topics such as psychological well-being, minimalism, human-nature interaction, and aesthetics. Doğan said, “The film can be regarded as a challenge to modern urban life and capitalism, or as a guide to survival within such a lifestyle.”
A film that will warm your heart…
Prof. Dr. Tayfun Doğan, a faculty member at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, who examined the film “Perfect Days” from a positive psychology perspective, addressed the striking points in the film.
Doğan said; “The film can be regarded as a challenge to modern urban life and capitalism, or as a guide to survival within such a lifestyle. The film inevitably makes you question your life. You realize that in the fast-paced city life, you are constantly rushing, striving like a person on a treadmill, complaining, but getting nowhere. Beyond its questioning role, such as ‘What am I doing? Where am I trying to get? What is the meaning of all this rush?’, I can say it is a film that will warm your heart. The film draws attention to minimalist living (voluntary simplicity), our disconnection from nature, conscious awareness (mindfulness), slowing down, refined tastes, the possibility of a different life despite current circumstances, the idea that happiness should not be sought in consumption, meticulousness, the distinction between wants and needs, and routines.”
“It shows that happiness is more about attitude than conditions”
Prof. Dr. Tayfun Doğan, evaluating the film from the perspective of happiness, said; “What draws our attention within the routines is the protagonist Hirayama’s happy, calm, and peaceful state. Our protagonist manages to be happy under current circumstances. In a crowded and busy city like Tokyo, he creates opportunities for himself to interact with nature. Isaac Asimov says, ‘Happiness is not feeling that you have to be somewhere else, do something else, or be someone else.’ Hirayama experiences exactly this. Whatever his current conditions, instead of complaining about them, he tries to gather the happiness within them. He experiences the serenity and gratitude that this brings. It almost shows that happiness is more about attitude than conditions. In this way, he tries to add meaning and value to his life.”
“Getting rid of all the excesses in our lives and experiencing the peace that simplicity brings…”
Doğan, stating that the main character does not seek happiness in consumption, expressed that people can also be happy with what they have. Doğan said; “One of the points that drew my attention in the film is Hirayama’s preference for a minimalist life. We can describe minimalism as voluntary simplicity. To get rid of all the excesses in our lives and experience the peace that simplicity brings. In the field of positive psychology, research on the relationship between minimalism and happiness indicates that a minimalist life increases happiness. Hirayama lives voluntary simplicity and modesty in every aspect of his life. Hirayama does not seek happiness in consumption; he can make happiness possible with what he has. Hirayama’s relationships also appear minimalist. He lives a chosen solitude. He seems to have adopted the understanding of ‘fewer people, more peace.’ He has relationships and communication with a limited number of people. He also does not communicate with his family. This aspect can be considered risky in terms of mental health. Because loneliness is described as the most suitable environment for many mental health problems to proliferate.” he stated.
“Our disconnection from nature is one of the important reasons for our unhappiness and tension”
Prof. Dr. Tayfun Doğan, emphasizing the interaction between humans and nature, stated that people who move away from nature are unhappy and tense. Doğan said; “Another point we need to address is human-nature interaction. Our disconnection from nature is one of the important reasons for our unhappiness and tension. We belong to nature; by moving away from it, we are like losing our home, our nest. In this sense, Desmond Morris describes modern cities as ‘human zoos.’ Just as animals separated from their natural environment in zoos lose their vitality and energy, wither, and move away from their natural state, humans alienated from nature in these human zoos also take on a neurotic state of mind, becoming depressive, tense, and anxious. In the film, Hirayama has found solutions to this situation in Tokyo, one of the world’s most crowded cities. He observes trees in parks and takes their photographs. Besides that, he takes small sprouts he finds in the park home and plants them in pots. When he feels bad or sad, he spends time by the seaside. Every morning when he wakes up, he looks at the sun and smiles. He rides his bicycle in rainy weather. In other words, he creates as many opportunities as possible for himself to interact with nature.”
Appreciation of aesthetics and perfection…
Doğan, stating that our brain and eyes need to be trained in that direction for the appreciation of aesthetics and perfection, said; “One of the research topics and character strengths in positive psychology is the ‘appreciation of aesthetics and perfection.’ The concept is about recognizing and appreciating the beauties, aesthetics, and things to be grateful for in life. The film’s protagonist, Hirayama, successfully applies this. He becomes happy when he looks at the sun, sees the beauty of trees and takes their photos, is affected by a child’s innocence and helps them, and can enjoy the music he listens to. The appreciation of aesthetics and perfection is possible by training our brain and eyes in this direction. The most prominent characteristics of individuals who cannot succeed in this regard are finding fault in everything, being in a constant state of complaint, and never being satisfied with anything.” he stated.
“As if he has removed stress from his life”
Doğan, drawing attention to the issue of time management, said that one needs to follow routines to be successful in this. Doğan said; “Another striking point in the film is Hirayama’s very planned, systematic, and slow life. He is never in a hurry, not rushing. It’s as if he has removed stress from his life. He performs all his tasks and the things he enjoys meticulously and properly. We can attribute this to his success in time management and following his routines. He lives slowly and by savoring. He has no ambition to miss the agenda, catch up on everything, or consume everything. He acts with the understanding that ‘every unread book, every unwatched film, every unheard music is new.’ ”
Doğan briefly summarized the character of Hirayama:
“-He does not forget the flowers at his feet while his eyes are on the stars.
-He shows that a life other than what we always have is possible.
-He lives not in the world he was born into, but in the world he chose.
-He does not seek happiness in consumption; he lives minimally.
-He collects and accumulates the small joys in his life.
-He shows that happiness can be found even within the ordinariness of life.
-He is not anxious about being somewhere else, being someone else, or doing something else.” he said.