Lav Diaz’s historical drama “Magellan” will premiere at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in May!
The filmmaker’s latest film will have its world premiere at the prestigious film festival as part of the Cannes Premiere section alongside Koji Fukada’s “Renai Saiban” and Hlynur Pálmason’s “The Love That Remains.”
The nearly three-hour cut set in the 16th century follows Ferdinand Magellan, an ambitious Portuguese navigator, who dreams of discovering the world. He rebelled against the King of Portugal and convinced the Spanish monarchy to fund his expedition to Southeast Asia.
Magellan set foot in the Philippines in 1521 and was eventually defeated by Lapu-Lapu’s men in Cebu.
Its cast is comprised of Portuguese, Filipino, and Spanish actors, with Gael Garcia Bernal portraying the titular role. Meanwhile, Angela Ramos will play Magellan’s wife, Beatriz.
The full nine-hour version of the film is originally titled “Beatriz, The Wife,” and is centered on the perspective of Magellan’s wife, Beatriz Barbosa de Magellanes. The two married in 1517 and lived together for two years before Magellan set off on an expedition to Southeast Asia.
However, the film premiering at Cannes will be a nearly three-hour cut, retitled “Magellan,” focused on the explorer.
The film festival’s 78th edition will run from May 13 to May 24.
The critically acclaimed contemporary Filipino filmmaker, Lav Diaz, is one of the key members of the slow cinema movement. He has made several of the longest narrative films on record.
His previous films include “The Woman Who Left” and “From What Is Before.”
