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...

Uzumasa Limelight is a film 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.

Directed by Ken Ochiai (Tiger Mask, Ninja the Monster), the film won the Best Actor and Best Film at the Fantasia Film Festival and Audience Award at Camera Japan, New York Asian Film Festival, Heartland Film Festival, and stars Seizo Fukumoto (The Last Samurai, The Last Chushingura) – the actor who is said to have died 50,000 times.

Uzumasa Limelight will be released on UK Blu-ray, DVD and VOD on 25th April 2016 by Third Window Films at a yet to be confirmed RRP.

Special features:

• Behind the scenes featurette

• Theatrical trailer