The last thing you want when you’re aboard a 16th-century sailing ship is to be shot.
Unless, of course, it’s a film shoot.
Film fans in Guernsey are being given the chance to step aboard a replica of the first ship to sail around the globe, before seeing it on screen at next month’s Guernsey Film Festival.
The replica ship, the ‘Nao Victoria’, is currently sitting in St Peter Port Harbour but was used during filming of ‘Magellan’, the ambitious historical drama starring Gael García Bernal (‘Coco’, ‘Y tu mamá también’) in the titular role.
And the timing means islanders can visit the ship in real life before watching it recreate Ferdinand Magellan’s extraordinary voyage on the big screen.
The Nao Victoria is replica of the ship associated with Magellan’s historic expedition, and is in St Peter Port until 19 September.
Built using extensive historical research, the vessel gives visitors a chance to experience something of life aboard a 16th-century ocean-going ship.
Following the stars
It was also used during the filming of the epic new movie ‘Magellan’, making its appearance in Guernsey something of a immersive preview of the film.
The movie, from acclaimed Filipino director Lav Diaz, also stars Ângela Azevedo, Amado Arjay Babon, Ronnie Lazaro and Hazel Orencio.
It follows Magellan from his rebellion against the Portuguese King and his attempt to reach the Spice Islands through hunger and mutiny, before exploring the violence and consequences of European conquest in the Philippines.
But ‘Magellan’ is no straightforward historical epic.
The film has been described as “a hypnotic journey” and a work of “staggering beauty and horror”, exploring ambition, power, faith and colonialism along the way.
All aboard!
For Guernsey audiences, though, there is another reason this screening promises to be rather special.
They can step aboard part of the film before watching it on screen.
The Guernsey Film Festival returns to the Mallard Cinema on 3 and 4 October for its fifth edition, with a programme of international, local and classic films – including ‘Magellan’.
So if you want to see the ship before it sails off – and then see it starring in its own cinematic adventure – now is the time to get on board.
Discounted tickets to visit the ship are available online, with adult tickets costing £8 and children just £4.
Meanwhile, you can pick up your FREE tickets for the Guernsey Film Festival is taking place on 3 and 4 October shortly.
