Shoplifters Star Lily Franky Joins Wayne Wang's "Diary of a Mad, Old Man"

In a recent Q&A session for the film "Mother Bhumi" at the Tokyo International Film Festival, Chinese actress Fan Bingbing revealed that Japanese actor Lily Franky will be appearing in director Wayne Wang's next project, "Diary of a Mad, Old Man."

Franky is best known to international audiences for his lead role in Hirokazu Koreeda's 2018 Palme d'Or-winning film Shoplifters. He has also recently starred in Chie Hayakawa's Cannes competition title "Renoir."

"Diary" is an adaptation of the 1961 novel of the same name by acclaimed Japanese author Tanizaki Jun'ichirō. The story follows an elderly invalid's erotic obsession with his daughter-in-law. Previously announced cast members include Gabriel Byrne. The film is being produced by a collaboration of production companies from Japan, the U.S., and the U.K.

This new project marks another international venture for actress Fan Bingbing, who has been selectively cultivating her career in independent films abroad since her highly publicized tax problems in recent years. She actively sought out the lead role in the Malaysian film "Mother Bhumi," which is set in a late-1990s rice-farming village and follows a widowed farmer and ritual healer.