Director Lav Diaz and producer Paul Soriano. MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News
“Napakahirap ng ‘Magellan’, muntik pa akong mamatay.”
That was how filmmaker Lav Diaz described the grueling process of making his latest epic, “Magellan,” which has just been named the Philippines’ official entry to the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Film.
When asked to elaborate on the life-threatening situation while filming, Diaz said, "Nagkasakit ako nung shoot, six months of shoot. Napabayaan ko 'yung sarili, anim na buwang naggagamot ng tuberculosis."
It took the team six months of the film's pre-production, one month spent in Europe and the team even built makeshift places.
Diaz admits that the fight to be shortlisted at the Oscars is an uphill battle.
"Mahirap kasi, ang Oscars kasi butas ng karayom 'yan. It's an election process. Ang methodology is we have to go campaign. Buti na lang we have good distributors in North America at Europe. Sa promotion pa lang malaking tulong na 'yun," he said.
But ultimately, the award-winning director wishes for many Filipinos to see the movie. "Magandang bumalik tayo sa kasaysayan kasi doon tayo galing. Hindi tayo makakausad kung hindi natin alam 'yung nakaraan natin, mahalaga 'yun," he said.
"Magellan" will screen in Philippine cinemas starting September 10.