MANILA -- Lav Diaz’s “Magellan” offers Filipinos a bold new lens on history as it opens in local theaters on September 10 before it sets sail for its Oscar campaign.
“Magellan,” the country’s official submission to the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film, will be shown in over 40 cinemas nationwide.
“If there is one thing the Philippines can do to help us in the campaign is to go and support Magellan in cinemas. If there is something you can do for the country today, it is to watch and bring your friends and family. have discourse, debate— agree or disagree. Enjoy the ride,” producer Paul Soriano said in an interview held in Makati City, Saturday.
Diaz seeks to offer a cinematic experience that will spark debate and conversations about history. One example is his choice to leave out Lapu-Lapu, often honored in books as the Philippines’ first hero, from the film.
“Not to say wala si Lapu-Lapu. Pero ayon sa pananaliksik ko, parang mas dapat i-reconsider natin sa kasaysayan natin si Humabon,” Diaz explained. “My responsibility is just to examine it, ito nakita namin, pag-usapan natin 'to. Magellan, I am throwing it for dialogue. For discourse.”
“Magellan” is backed by Diaz’ seven years of research from different historical records, oral traditions, and lesser-known accounts. Described as a “reclamation of narrative,” Diaz centers the story on the Malay peoples of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
“Pag mahaba kasi pananaliksik mo, you see things maaring hindi nakita ng ibang historians. Basa ako ng basa, pananaliksik ng todo, parang nakita ko walang Lapu-Lapu. Parang mas malapit sa katotohanan na si Humabon ang gumawa ng lahat,” he said. “Every time I get a chance, I go to libraries, I read books. Sa Portugal, sa Spain.”
Diaz, famed for his hours-long, black and white pieces, takes a vibrant turn with Magellan. Clocking in at just 160 minutes, the historical film bursts with color offering a fresh take on Philippine history while keeping Diaz’s signature depth intact.
“Pag gumagawa naman ako ng pelikula, walang kinalaman yung haba o iksi. It is more of ano ang pelikulang iyan,” he explained.
"Anytime we get to represent the country, it is an absolute honor," he also said.
Leading Magellan's North American distribution and Oscar campaign is the famed Janus Films, a company that guided past Academy Award winning films such as The Great Beauty (2013), Drive My Car (2021), and, most recently, Flow (2025).
“They picked up our film after the Cannes premiere. That was a great surprise to us,” Soriano said. “The campaign kicks off as Lav flies off to Toronto for TIFF. We have some big gala nights.”
The shortlisted films at the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on December 16, with the official nominees to be revealed in January of next year.