Lav Diaz‘s “Magellan” has been selected as the Philippines’ submission for the best international feature film category at the 98th Academy Awards, the Film Academy of the Philippines has revealed.
The historical drama, which chronicles the final months of Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan’s life before his death on the island of Mactan, beat out six other local contenders for the slot. The selection committee, composed of Filipino film industry experts, evaluated submissions based on aesthetic and technical excellence, embodiment of Filipino values and culture, international appeal, and the producer’s campaign capabilities.
Starring Gael García Bernal alongside Filipino performers Arjay Babon, Ronnie Lazaro, Bong Cabrera, and Hazel Orencio, “Magellan” presents what Diaz calls an “uncompromising perspective on history.” Rather than portraying the titular explorer as a heroic figure, the film depicts him as a man “facing his own oblivion,” challenging romanticized colonial narratives.
The production, shot across the Philippines, Portugal and Spain, bowed at the Cannes Film Festival. Produced by Paul Soriano and Mark Victor with line producer Bianca Trinidad, the film has assembled distribution partners including Luxbox Films for world sales and North American distributor Janus Films.
The selection was revealed at the opening of Philippine Film Industry Month celebrations at Red Carpet Cinema in Shangrila Plaza, Mandaluyong City, marking the start of the country’s Oscar campaign season.
For its Oscar campaign, “Magellan” has enlisted Cinetic Marketing, the agency behind international feature winners “Parasite” and “Drive My Car.” The film is set to screen at both the Toronto Film Festival and New York Film Festival next month before opening in Philippine theaters Sept. 10.
Variety praised the film‘s “stunningly mounted, politically rigorous work, which confronts any viewers hoping for a sweeping biographical romp with a frank post-colonial perspective, thoroughly and violently dismantling any romanticized legacy trailing the eponymous Portuguese navigator.”
“The Film Academy of the Philippines is immensely excited to announce Lav Diaz’s ‘Magellan’ as our official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards,” said filmmaker Paolo Villaluna, who was recently appointed as the Film Academy’s director-general. “We recognize that ‘Magellan’s’ Oscars journey is only just beginning, and we stand ready to support the film. We will work closely with them to navigate the intricacies of the Oscars campaign, and will provide government assistance when needed to ensure their vision is shared with the world.”
The Oscar international feature shortlist will be announced on Dec. 16 and the final five nominees will be announced on Jan. 22.