Ken Ochiai’s delightfully nostalgic film is a fascinating delve into Japanese film and television history, and its focus on “jidaigeki” films, (period dramas with sword fighting). These films wouldn’t be what they were if it weren’t for the “kirareyaku” – extras who are killed, without ever being lit by the limelight.

Seizo Fukumoto stars as Kamiyama, who lives to die a beautiful, spectacular actor’s death – at Kyoto’s Uzumasa Studios. He has become a master of the art, with his own signature style of falling down dead. When the studio decides to discontinue these films he is at a loss, until hope comes in the form of young up-and-coming actress Satsuki (Chihiro Yamamoto), who wants to be trained and hopes to be Kamiyama’s pupil.

A cri de coeur on the samurai flicks of a bygone era, “Uzumasa Limelight” unfolds understatedly and movingly like something from Clint Eastwood at the top of his game. – Los Angeles Times

Director: Ken Ochiai

Country: Japan

Year: 2014

Running Time: 103 mins

Cert: Club
Starring: Seizo Fukumoto, Chihiro Yamamoto, Masashi Goda