Lav Diaz teases Cannes debut for historical epic ‘Magellan’
Photos from lav.diaz/Instagram, IMDb
Renowned Filipino auteur Lav Diaz has hinted that his latest historical epic, “Magellan,” could be setting its sails toward the Cannes Film Festival this May.
During a recent masterclass at the Doha Film Institute’s Qumra event, Diaz revealed that a condensed version of the film – running two hours and 45 minutes – has just been completed.
He noted, however, that this cut is only a preview of his ultimate vision which is an expansive nine-hour version, consistent with his reputation for meditative and sprawling storytelling.
Known for creating slow cinema with philosophical depth, Diaz sees the shorter version as merely the beginning of a much larger cinematic journey.
The film stars acclaimed Mexican actor Gael García Bernal as the infamous 16th-century Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, whose fateful voyage led to the first circumnavigation of the globe and, notably, a violent clash in the Philippines in 1521 where he met his end in the hands of Datu Lapu-Lapu’s warriors in Cebu.
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When asked whether the film might premiere in Venice – where Diaz has a celebrated history, including a Golden Lion win in 2016 for “The Woman Who Left” – he instead hinted at a more French direction.
“An important festival in France,” he said with a knowing smile, suggesting a possible Cannes debut.
Diaz also revealed that the shorter version of Magellan primarily centers on Bernal’s portrayal of the explorer, while the longer version will delve deeper into the story of Beatriz, Magellan’s wife, who has rarely been portrayed in cinematic retellings.
Beatriz, whom Magellan married two years before embarking on his journey from Spain, serves as a central figure in Diaz’s extended narrative.
In an unexpected turn, Diaz also mentioned surviving a near-death experience shortly after the film wrapped in late 2024 – though he declined to go into detail.
The revelation adds another layer of intensity to an already ambitious project that marries history, art and personal resilience.
