Source: Third Window Films press release Official Movie Site: uzumasalimelight.com (UK) Special Thanks to Claire Marty On April 25th, Third Window Films will release Ken Ochiai`s UZUMASA LIMELIGHT (????????, Uzumasa Raimuraito, 2014) on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD in the United Kingdom. Starring Seizo Fukumoto -- the actor who is said to have died 50,000 times -- and introducing Chihiro Yamamoto, UZUMASA LIMELIGHT won awards from the Fantasia Film Festival (Best Film, Best Actor), New York Asian Film Festival (Audience Award) and Camera Japan (Audience Award). Both the Blu-ray and DVD include a behind the scenes featurette and theatrical trailer.
Synopsis
Uzumasa (Kyoto) is considered the Hollywood of Japan. It has produced many “jidaigeki” films (period dramas with sword fighting) that are loved by many Japanese, and are highly praised all over the world. These films wouldn’t be what they were if it weren’t for the “kirareyaku” (actors whose main job is to be killed by the lead star). Men who are killed, without ever being lit by the limelight... This story is about those men, the unsung heroes of classic jidaigeki films. They loved and respected the art, even when the production of classic jidaigeki films began to dwindle. Using Charlie Chaplin’s film LIMELIGHT as an underlying theme, the admirable story of these men dealing with a new generation and fading craftsmanship is told with melancholy and soul.
Credits
SEIZO FUKUMOTO: as Seiichi Kamiyama Born February 3, 1943. Seizo Fukumoto entered Toei Studio Kyoto (Japan) at the age of 15. Since then, he has been on films, TV, and jidaigeki for more than a half century. His forte is kirareyaku, “to-be-killed actor” who loses sword fights. In 2003, he was starred in the Hollywood film THE LAST SAMURAI (starring Tom Cruise) as the role of the Silent Samurai, and the film brought him before an international audience. CHIHIRO YAMAMOTO: as Satsuki Iga Born August 29, 1996. Chihiro Yamamoto started learning Tai Chi when she was 3 years old. In 2012, she won 1 gold medal and 2 silver medals at World Junior Wushu Championship. UZUMASA LIMELIGHT is her debut in a film. Director: KEN OCHIAI Ken Ochiai made his first film at age 12. Immediately following his high school graduation, he left his hometown of Tokyo, Japan, to pursue his dream of becoming a film director in the United States. Ochiai graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 2006 with a BA in production. In 2008, he received his MFA from the American Film Institute Conservatory in directing. To date, Ochiai has made more than 30 short films, commercials, and music videos including HALF KENNETH which won the Jury Prize from the Directors Guild of America; FROG IN THE WELL which won the Crystal Award at the Heartland Film Festival; and MIYUKI`S WIND BELL won the Sapporo Peace Award at the Sapporo Short Fest. He received the Young Alumni Award from the USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association in recognition of his achievements in filmmaking. His first feature film, THE TIGER MASK (???????, Taiga Masuku), was released in the fall 2013 in several Asian countries. The film is based on a Japanese legendary comic book series and produced by Toshiaki Nakazawa, producer from an Oscar-winning film DEPARTURES. His most recent work is the fantasy film NINJA THE MONSTER (??????????, Ninja za Monsutaa, 2015).
Specifications
Release Date: April 25, 2016 Rating: 15 Running Time: 103 Minutes Anamorphic Widescreen Japanese 5.1 Surround Sound Removable English Subtitles Bonus Features Behind the Scenes Trailer Blu-ray Region: B £9.99 DVD Region: 2, PAL £10.99
About Third Window Films
The Third Window Films brand was born in 2005 when its film-loving founders grew bored of the stream of worn-out shock horror vehicles from the Far East. Third Window Films works hard to bring you the wonderful world beyond long-haired ghost films and mindless Hollywood action copies, sourcing the finest works in new Far Eastern cinema. We strive to represent a rich variety of film genres, be they dramas, comedies, political satires, action or anything else in between. Expect everything from the unknown and cult to the off-beat and even the occasional mainstream masterpiece... or expect nothing but quality Asian cinema! Let Third Window Films be your window to the East!