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Magellan

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16th century. Magellan (Gael García Bernal), a young and ambitious Portuguese navigator, rebels against the power of the King, who doesn’t support his dream of discovering the world. He persuades the Spanish Crown to fund his bold expedition to the fabled lands of the East. The voyage is exhausting beyond expectations, with hunger and mutiny pushing the crew to their limits. Upon reaching the islands of the Malayan Archipelago, Magellan’s mind changes. He becomes obsessed with conquest and conversion, which sparks violent uprisings beyond his control.

This is not the myth of Magellan, but the truth of his journey. Realizing a long-standing dream of depicting the fabled explorer’s saga on screen, Lav Diaz delivers a condemnation of colonialism from a distinctly Filipino perspective.

 

Oscar Submission: Philippines

Director

Lav Diaz

Cast

Gael García Bernal, Ângela Azevedo, Amado Arjay Babon, Ronnie Lazaro, Hazel Orencio, Tomás Alves

Credits
Country of Origin

Portugal/Spain/France/
Philippines/Taiwan

Year

2025

Language

In Portuguese, Spanish, Cebuano and French with English subtitles

18+
160 min
Drama
Rosa Filmes, Andergraun Films, Black Cap Pictures, Lib Films, El Viaje Films, Volos Films, Ten17P, Ultramarina Filmes

Book Tickets

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Credits

Executive Producer

Montse Triola, Marina Alberti

Producer

Joaquim Sapinho, Marta Alves, Albert Serra, Montse Triola, Paul Soriano, Mark Viktor, Jose Alayón, Stefano Centini

Screenwriter

Lav Diaz

Cinematography

Artur Tort, Lav Diaz

Editor

Artur Tort, Lav Diaz

Production Design

Lav Diaz

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