16th century. Magellan, an 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.
Lav Diaz
Born in 1958 in Cotabato, he is considered the ideological father of the New Philippine Cinema. He has profoundly influenced the international film scene with his unique approach to duration and storytelling. Since 1998 he has directed about twenty films, and won numerous international awards including the Locarno Film Festival Pardo d’Oro with ‘From What Is Before’ (2014), the Berlinale’s Alfred Bauer Award with ‘A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery’ (2016) and the Venice Golden Lion with ‘The Woman Who Left’ (2016). ‘Essential Truths of the Lake’ (2023) had its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival and was presented at Seminci as part of the Alchemies section.
DIRECTOR
Lav Diaz
SCREENPLAY
Lav Diaz
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Artur Tort, Lav Diaz
EDITOR
Artur Tort, Lav Diaz
SOUND
Emmanuel Bonnat, Cecil Buban
PRODUCTION
Stefano Centini, Clàudia Robert, Joaquim Sapinho, Albert Serra, Paul Soriano, Montse Triola, Mark Victor, Marta Vieira Alves
PRODUCTION COMPANY
Rosa Filmes, Andergraun Films, Black Cap Pictures, Lib Films, El Viaje Films, Volos Films, Ten17P, Ultramarina Filmes
RUNNING TIME
160 min.
TYPE
Largometraje
FORMAT
Color
YEAR OF PRODUCTION
2025
VERSION
V.O. Portuguese, Spanish, Tagalog, and French with Spanish and English subtitles.
COUNTRY
Portugal, Spain, France, Philippines, Taiwan
CONTACT
Luxbox
IN SPAIN
A Contracorriente Films
Screenings
V.O. Portuguese, Spanish, Tagalog, and French with Spanish and English subtitles.
