After premiering out of competition at Cannes, writer-director Lav Diaz‘s historical drama Magellan, starring Gael García Bernal as the Portuguese explorer, has been acquired by Janus Films in a deal for North American rights. No release date was disclosed.
Set in the 16th century, the film follows Magellan, a young and ambitious Portuguese navigator who 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. But 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.
Magellan was produced by Portugal’s Rosa Filmes and co-produced by Andergraun Films (Spain), Black Cap Pictures (Philippines), Ten17P (Philippines), El Viaje Filmes (Spain), Volos Films (Taiwan), Lib Films (France), and AKP21 (France). Luxbox negotiated the deal with Janus Films.
For Diaz, who won Venice’s Golden Lion for 2016’s The Woman Who Left and the Locarno Golden Leopard for 2014’s From What Is Before, the film is the first in color since Norte, The End of History in 2013.
“We are thrilled that Lav Diaz’s work will reach a wider North American audience than ever before through his mesmerizing MAGELLAN, a unique collaboration between the modern master of Filipino filmmaking and one of the finest, most soulful actors of his generation,” said a spokesperson for Janus Films. “A vivid slice of vital history rendered on a grand scale, MAGELLAN is visually ravishing and profoundly moving.”
Added Luxbox, “It is a real pleasure for us to team up again with Janus Films and we strongly believe that MAGELLAN, which is for us a masterpiece of arthouse cinema, is in very good hands.”
