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[0225] Components other than the above-mentioned liquid crystal compound represented by Formula (I) may also be included in the polymerizable liquid crystal composition. Hereinafter, the optional components will be described in detail. 

[0226] The polymerizable liquid crystal composition pref› erably includes a polymerization initiator. 

[0227] As the polymerization initiator, a photopolymer› ization initiator capable of initiating a polymerization reac› tion upon irradiation with ultraviolet rays is preferable. 

[0228] Examples of the photopolymerization initiator include a-carbonyl compounds (described in each of the specifications of U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,367,661A and 2,367, 670A), acyloin ethers (described in the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 2,448,828A), a-hydrocarbon-substituted aromatic acyloin compounds (described in the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 2,722,512A), multinuclear quinone compounds (as described in each of the specifications of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,046,127 A and 2,951,758A), combinations oftriarylimida› zole dimer and p-aminophenyl ketone (as described in the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 3,549,367 A), oxadiazole com› pounds (described in the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,970A), and acyl phosphine oxide compounds (de› scribed in each of the specifications of JP1988-040799B (JP-S63-040799B), JP! 993-029234B (JP-H0S-029234B), JP! 998-095788A (JP-Hl 0-095788A), and JP1998-029997 A (JP-Hl 0-029997 A)). 

[0229] In a case where the polymerizable liquid crystal composition includes a polymerization initiator, the content of the polymerization initiator is preferably 0.5 to 10 parts by mass, and more preferably 1 to 10 parts by mass, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal compound represented by Formula (I) included in the polymerizable liquid crystal composition. 

[0230] The polymerization initiator may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds thereof. In a case where two or more kinds of the polymerization initiators are used, the total content thereof is preferably within the range. 

[0231] It is preferable that the polymerizable liquid crystal composition includes a solvent from the viewpoint of work› ability for forming a retardation layer. The type of the solvent is not particularly limited, and examples of the solvent include the above-mentioned solvents (particularly 

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the organic solvents) which may be included in the compo› sition for forming an alignment layer. 

[0232] The polymerizable liquid crystal composition may include other components than the above components, and examples of such other components include an antioxidant (for example, a phenol-based antioxidant), a liquid crystal compound other than the above liquid crystal compounds, an air interface alignment agent (leveling agent), a surfac› tants, a tilt angle control agent, an alignment aid, a plasti› cizer, and a crosslinking agent. 

[0233] <Method for Producing Optical Film> 

[0234] A method for producing the optical film is not particularly limited as long as it can produce an alignment layer or retardation layer having the above-described con› figuration. Hereinafter, a method for producing each of the layers will be described in detail. 

[0235] (Method of Producing Alignment Layer) 

[0236] As a method for producing the alignment layer, a known method can be appropriately adopted and used. 

[0237] Examples of the method include a method in which a composition for forming an alignment layer is applied to form a coating film and the coating film is subjected to a rubbing treatment to obtain an alignment layer. 

[0238] The above-mentioned known polymer for an align› ment layer is preferably included in the composition for forming an alignment layer. 

[0239] A method for applying the composition for forming an alignment layer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include spin coating, die coating, gravure coating, flexographic printing, and ink jet printing. 

[0240] Examples of the method for a rubbing treatment include known methods. 

[0241] Moreover, in a case where an alignment layer including a specific acid or a salt thereof is formed, examples of a method for forming the alignment layer include a method in which an alignment layer is formed by the above-mentioned procedure using a composition for forming an alignment layer, including a specific acid or a salt thereof. 

[0242] The total content of the specific acid and a salt thereof in the composition for forming an alignment layer is not particularly limited, and the total content of the specific 

