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Uzumasa Limelight Set for Theatrical Release in Select North American Cities

Los Angeles, CA, October 30, 2014 – Los Angeles-based film production and distribution company, ELEVEN ARTS, is pleased to announce the North American release of UZUMASA LIMELIGHT, its latest film from Japan.

With a successful Japanese release, and as well as a recipient of several awards at film festivals across the world, UZUMASA LIMELIGHT will be making its way stateside for its US theatrical run. The latest keyart and trailer can be viewed online on the film's official website: www.uzumasalimelight.com.

The release kicks off with the Los Angeles red carpet premiere in Beverly Hills on November 24, with director Ken Ochiai and stars Seizo Fukumoto and Chihiro Yamamoto in attendance. The official U.S. release date is set for December 5, starting in several cities, including Los Angeles, Irvine, New York City, Honolulu, and Aiea. An expansive list of theaters throughout the United States is available at www.uzumasalimelight.com.

Uzumasa has been called the Hollywood of Japan. Located in the historical Kyoto Prefecture, known as the cultural center of the nation, it has produced many “jidaigeki,” Japanese period films which are set in or before the Edo period (up to 1868 AD). These films are loved by the Japanese people and praised all over the world, but would not be what they were if it weren't for the “kirareyaku,” actors whose job it is to be killed by the lead star, without ever being in the limelight.

Uzumasa Limelight is about those men, the unsung heroes of classic jidaigeki films; Actors who loved and respected the art, even when the production of classic jidaigeki films began to dwindle. Staring the legendary Seizo Fukumoto, Japan's most famous kirareyaku who appeared as the “Silent Samurai” in the 2003 Hollywood film The Last Samurai, and using Charlie Chaplin's 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.

The film has been screened at various film festivals worldwide, and was the winner of several different awards, including the Audience Award at the 13th New York Asian Film Festival and the Cheval Noir Award for Best Film at the 18th Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal. It was also one of five films to be selected for the Best Narrative Feature Award at the 23rd Heartland International Film Festival. Lead actor Seizo Fukumoto received the Best Actor Award at the Fantasia International Film Festival for his portrayal of Seiichi Kamiyama.

Uzumasa Limelight Official Site: www.uzumasalimelight.com
Uzumasa Limelight Trailer: http://youtu.be/z1a0Ia8wbtE

About ELEVEN ARTS
ELEVEN ARTS is the Los Angeles based film distribution company that has brought many acclaimed Japanese films, live-action and animated features to North American audiences. ELEVEN ARTS's major live-action titles include Japan Academy Awards winner Memories of Tomorrow (starring Ken Watanabe) and Oscar nominated director (with The Twilight Samurai in 2004) Yoji Yamada's samurai film Love and Honor. ELEVEN ARTS is also a respected distributor of popular Japanese animation titles such as the Evangelion franchise, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings/Part 2: Eternal/ Part 3: Rebellion. For additional information, go to www.elevenarts.net.


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