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Magellan

Play trailer Magellan 2025 2h 35m Biography Drama History Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.

Critics Reviews

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Guy Lodge Variety ...while “Magellan” reps Diaz’s best shot at general arthouse distribution in some time, it’s no artistic compromise. The spirit of slow cinema is alive and languid in this stunningly mounted, politically rigorous work... May 28, 2025 Full Review Jordan Mintzer The Hollywood Reporter This exquisitely crafted feature may be one of the director’s most accessible works to date. May 27, 2025 Full Review Josh Slater-Williams IndieWire Diaz’s confrontational film proves one of his most fascinating achievements: a hypnotizing historical and spiritual epic that’s immersive in a way that few decades-spanning stories successfully pull off. Rated: B May 19, 2025 Full Review Siddhant Adlakha JoySauce.com Its haunting historical scope makes it feel vast and enormous Jul 8, 2025 Full Review David Cuevas Next Best Picture Lav Diaz's commendable and timely vision effectively denounces Magellan's navigational empire, meticulously recreating and deconstructing his torturous voyage to the Philippines through the effectiveness of his slow-moving Mise-en-scène. Rated: 7/10 Jun 4, 2025 Full Review Àngel Quintana Caimán Cuadernos de Cine The filmmaker achieves an epic dimension through a narrative construction that eschews spectacularity, but has moments of great power. [Full review in Spanish] Jun 3, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Lav Diaz

Director

Gael García Bernal

Actor

Ângela Azevedo

Actor

Amado Arjay Babon

Actor

Ronnie Lazaro

Actor

Hazel Orencio

Actor
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Magellan

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Movie Info

Synopsis 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.
Director
Lav Diaz
Screenwriter
Lav Diaz
Production Co
Rosa Filmes, Andergraun Films, Lib Films, Black Cap Pictures
Genre
Biography, Drama, History
Original Language
Portuguese
Runtime
2h 35m