‘Magellan’ gathers 20,000 audience in France on first week, opens in US theaters

Lav Diaz's “Magellan” may not have made it on the shortlist in the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards but the good news is that it is having positive audience response from France and soon will open in regular theaters in the United States.

“Pasok o hindi, cool lang naman tayo," Diaz told GMA News Online. "Mas mahalaga ang papel ng cinema natin sa pakikibakang kultural ng ating bayan (We’re cool about it. What’s important is the role of cinema in our cultural struggles for our country."

As of press time, the film has gathered 20,000 audiences on its first week after it opened in 67 theaters in France on December 31, 2025.

On early Wednesday morning, Diaz shared with GMA News Online a letter from Joaquim Sapinho, the Portuguese co-producer of “Magellan” about the positive audience response.

“More than 20,000 spectators in France the first week! Congratulations!” Sapinho said in his letter.

In France, it is being distributed by Nour Films, an independent film distribution company whose list includes titles that won in Cannes, Venice, Vienna, Locarno and other respected, prestigious film festivals. 

US distribution

Diaz also shared it will be shown in regular movie houses in the United States starting January 9, after a series of advanced screenings with talk-back sessions he attended in cinematheques and other arthouse venues.

He was present for the retrospective of his films that included “Magellan” at the American Cinematheque’s Aero Theatre in Sta. Monica, California.

An advanced screening of “Magellan” was shown on January 2. Three of his award-winning
films were also shown: “When The Waves are Gone” on January 3, “Phantosmia” on January 5 and “Norte, The End of History” on January 6.

Diaz skipped the “Norte” screening to attend another advanced "Magellan" screening, at Roxie Theater in San Francisco this time, on January 6.

“I am in San Franciso now. Last night, there’s an advanced screening of ‘Magellan’ sa makasaysayang Roxie Cinema; full house, ang dami ring Pinoys,” Diaz told GMA News Online on Wednesday, Manila time.

“Magellan’s” North American distributor is the New York-based Janus Films, whose list includes classic masterpieces by Akira Kurosawa, Yasujiro Ozu, Luis Buñuel and many others. 

The globe-trotting auteur was in France early December last year to promote “Magellan” before going to his home base in Sampaloc, Quezon to shoot his new film for two weeks during the Christmas holidays.

Wasting no time, the Shaman of Sampaloc as he is called now, left on New Year’s Day for “Magellan” advanced screenings in the US before, it officially opens in regular theaters on January 9.

‘Batang West Side” 25th anniversary

And then there’s more.

The 67-year-old filmmaker is also excited that the five-hour-long “Batang West Side” will be shown at the Asia Society in New York on January 14 in celebration of the film’s 25th year. It is part of Asia Society’s ongoing series “Films to See Before You Die.”

Based on its website, Asia Society is a 70-year-old nonpartisan, nonprofit educational institution “dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among peoples, leaders and institutions of Asia and the United States in a global context.”

“Batang West Side” had its US premiere at Asia Society on July 24, 2001.

It tells the story of a Filipino immigrant who works as police detective in Jersey City, played by Joel Torre, investigating the mysterious murder of a fellow Filipino, a young migrant played by Yul Servo. It also tells the stark realities faced by Filipino expats trying to survive in the US.

“Batang West Side” is the first more personal project that Diaz finished after doing four mainstream features for Regal Films. He never looked back and forged on doing more independently produced epic-long arthouse films that tackle the struggles of Filipinos, earning the nods of critics and cineastes here and abroad, along the way, giving honor and pride to the Philippines.

From “Batang West Side” to “Magellan,” Diaz is now viewed as one of the most celebrated and respected auteurs in Europe and the US. He has proven if you consistently remain loyal to your craft despite the odds and uncertainties, with the right attitude, you can never go wrong. — LA, GMA Integrated News