Uzumasa raimuraito (original title)
Directed by: Ken Ochiai
Screenplay by: Hiroyuki Ono
-Action, Drama, Japan
imdb
Starring:
Seizô Fukumoto as Seiichi
Chihiro Yamamoto as Satsuki iga
My rating: 5
Per Japan Film Festival 2015:
A nostalgic portrait of kirare-yaku – an actor whose forte is being “cut to death” with a sword in samurai films, Uzumasa Limelight goes behind the scenes of the distinctive film genre. A professional extra named Kamiyama (played by real-life kirare-yaku Seizo Fukumoto) has devoted 50 years of his life as a kirare-yaku. When the studio decides to discontinue its productions, he finds himself at a loss. Will the art of dying by the sword live on?
PeekInside:
My two-bits:
Loved the juxtaposition of past and present actors and film making in a Kyoto movie studio - especially in regards to samurai films.
Although the reality of aging was sad to watch, sweet and tender relationship between master and student actors was beautiful to behold.
Gained an appreciation for actors slated "to be killed" in films. There surely is an art form to dying on screen.
* part of the J-Pop Summit Film Festival 2015 in SF
* part of my Armchair Summer Travel (details) - check it out to enter Armchair Summer Travel Book Box Giveaway
* made me want to visit country: Kyoto, Japan
