The film isn’t your typical historical epic. It’s a stripped-down, powerful look at one of the most important chapters in Philippine history.
Filipino director Lav Diaz’s newest film, Magellan, had its world premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival and ended with a five-minute standing ovation. The film is part of the Cannes Première selection.
It stars Gael García Bernal as Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and focuses on the final months of his life, leading up to his death in the shores of Mactan in 1521. Shot in Portugal, Spain, and the Philippines, the film explores the tension between colonial ambition and personal collapse as Magellan nears the end of his journey.
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At just under three hours, the film is one of Diaz’s shorter works. It follows not just Magellan’s voyage, but also includes the story of Enrique, a young man he enslaved during the expedition. Enrique speaks Tagalog and plays a key role in the film, which leans heavily into voices often left out of history.
According to reviews, Magellan doesn’t go the usual route of portraying the explorer as a celebrated figure. Instead, it shows a more complicated version: a man isolated and worn down by power and purpose. Much of the film is quiet and spare, staying with Diaz’s signature style of long takes, natural lighting, and still moments.
One of the most talked-about elements of the film is its challenge to the long-held story of Lapulapu, the local hero believed to have killed Magellan. In an interview, Diaz suggests that Lapulapu might not have been real at all and that the legend could be based on an unreliable account. This angle is expected to stir debate, especially in the Philippines, where Lapulapu is considered a symbol of resistance.
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The production itself faced plenty of challenges, from rain-soaked locations to tough filming conditions in areas like Sampaloc, Quezon. But the shoot brought together crews from both Europe and the Philippines, and featured a strong local cast alongside Bernal. Other cast members include Angela Azevedo as Beatriz, Amado Arjay Babon as Enrique, Ronnie Lazaro as Raja Humabon, Bong Cabrera as Raja Kulambo, and Hazel Orencio as Reyna Juana.
Magellan is the only Filipino feature included in Cannes this year. Diaz has said there may be a much longer version of the film down the line, possibly a nine-hour director’s cut. For now, the Cannes version is what audiences will see and it’s already making waves.
