Filipino film 'Diamonds in the Sand" brings legendary Japanese actor Lily Franky to Far East Film Festival in Italy

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Published May 1, 2025 2:50pm

Filipino film, 'Diamonds in the Sand' has brought legendary Japanese actor Lily Franky to the Far East Film Festival, whose presence has certainly caused a buzz at the festival, ongoing in Italy until May 2.

Franky is Japanese acting sensation who has “Shoplifters,” “Like Father Like Son,” and "The Devil's Path" in his filmography.

Together with Filipino actresses Maria Isabel Lopez and Charlie Dizon, Franky stars in "Diamonds in the Sand," one of two Filipino films competing in the prestigious cinema event.

Written and directed by Janus Victoria, a former GMA Public Affairs i-Witness director, "Diamonds in the Sand" follows Yoji (Franky), a divorced and demoted Japanese salaryman who leaves it all behind and heads to Manila, believing nobody is lonely in the Philippines.

This is Victoria's film debut, allowing the movie to be among the nominees in the jury-assigned White Mulberry Award for Best Debut Film.

"Diamonds in the Sand" is also nominated for Best Screenplay, apart from being in the main competition alongside 40 other films including another Filipino film "Sunshine," directed by Antonette Jadaone and starring Maris Racal.

Following its world premiere at TokyoFilMex last year, "Diamonds in the Sand" had its international premiere at the Italian festival last April 27.

"When I got to the venue, the 1,200-seater Teatro Nuovo, I was overwhelmed to see it full. Hearing the audience react while the film played was very gratifying. Our film received a lot of love in the end," Victoria told GMA News Online in quick interview.

"The core of this film festival is the audience. Fans of Asian cinema across Europe come here yearly. That alone is amazing," she adds.

Victoria lost her voice at the film screening of "Diamonds in the Sand" and quickly became known at the festival as "the filmmaker with no voice."

"I only managed to say 'grazie mille' (thank you) when my lead actor and I were called to present the film on the stage," she said, but no matter.

"What followed was really heartwarming. Every day, the festival staff and fellow filmmakers I encountered offered me help and medicine. I have a variety of lozenges now."

The awarding ceremony will take place on May 2.

While Victoria says she and her producers Project 8 Films are still working on bringing "Diamonds in the Sand" to Philippine theaters," she expresses hope it happens this year.