MAGELLAN Trailer: Gael Garcia Bernal Discovers A New World in Lav Diaz’s Historical Epic

After an extensive festival tour that went from Cannes, TIFF, and to NYFF, Lav Diaz’s hypnotic new epic, Magellan, is finally set for a stateside release. It stars Gael Garcia Bernal as the eponymous Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan as he sets off on a bold expedition by sea. The film also depicts his role in the Portuguese and Spanish colonial campaigns in Southeast Asia in the 16th century. The Philippines has also selected the writer-director’s 27th feature as its official submission for Best International Feature at the 98th Academy Awards. Ahead of its January 9 release, Janus Films has released the official trailer.

As the official synopsis reads:

16th century. Magellan, a young and 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.

Check out the trailer and poster below.

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