Director Ken Ochiai (right) and producer Ko Mori attended screenings of their film “Uzumasa Limelight” on Saturday at Laemmle’s Playhouse 7 in Pasadena. Set at Kyoto’s Uzumasa Studios, the movie marks the first starring role for Seizo Fukumoto, who has “died” thousands of times over the last 55 years as a bad guy in samurai movies and TV shows. Ochiai noted that Fukumoto, playing a fictionalized version of himself, is still agile at 71 but unaccustomed to being the center of attention. Chihiro Yamamoto, a martial arts champion, makes her film debut as his disciple. The film will close Thursday, Dec. 11, at The Royal, 11523 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, and Playhouse 7, 673 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, with shows at 9:50 and 10:10 p.m., respectively. It will open on Friday, Dec. 12, at Edwards Westpark 8, 3735 Alton Parkway, Irvine, with showtimes at 12:10, 5:10 and 7:40 p.m. Info: www.uzumasalimelight.com. (J.K. YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo)

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