Francis Ford Coppola, the acclaimed director behind “The Godfather” series, has recently found himself at the center of controversy. Allegations of inappropriate behavior on the set of his latest film, “Megalopolis,” have surfaced, prompting the director to publicly deny any wrongdoing.
Reports emerged last month, just before the film’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, accusing Coppola of attempting to kiss female extras during a nightclub scene. It was also claimed that he pulled women to sit on his lap. These allegations have cast a shadow over what was supposed to be a triumphant moment for the director, who has been working on this passion project for over four decades.
The film’s executive producer, Darren Demetre, defended Coppola, stating that the director’s actions were intended to help create the right atmosphere for the scene. “It was his way to help inspire and establish the club atmosphere, which was so important to the film,” Demetre told The Guardian. He added that he was never aware of any complaints of harassment or inappropriate behavior during the production.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, Coppola addressed the allegations directly. He spoke about the values instilled in him by his mother, Italia, who he said taught him to respect women. “My mother told me that if you make an advance toward a woman, it means you disrespect her,” Coppola explained. He emphasized that he is not “touchy-feely” and described himself as too shy to behave inappropriately.
Coppola also mentioned that one of the women he allegedly kissed on the cheek was someone he had known since she was nine years old. “I’m not touchy-feely. I’m too shy,” he reiterated, attempting to dispel the accusations against him.
Despite the controversy, “Megalopolis” premiered at Cannes, receiving a mixed reaction from the audience. Initially met with boos, the film eventually garnered a seven-minute standing ovation. Coppola addressed the audience, expressing his gratitude and urging them to pledge their allegiance to family and the earth. “The most important word we have is the most beautiful word in any language. Esperanza. Hope. And that’s what I dedicate this to,” he said.
Multiple unnamed sources told The Guardian that Coppola’s behavior on set could be described as “old school.” They alleged that he tried to kiss some of the topless and scantily clad female extras during the nightclub scene, claiming he was “trying to get them in the mood.” These reports have added to the scrutiny surrounding the director and his long-awaited project.
Demetre, however, continued to defend Coppola, stating that he had known and worked with the director and his family for over 35 years. “Francis successfully produced and directed an enormous independent film, making all the difficult decisions to ensure it was delivered on time and on budget while remaining true to his creative vision,” Demetre said. He described Coppola’s actions during the nightclub scene as giving “kind hugs and kisses on the cheek” to help establish the club atmosphere.
Adam Driver, who stars in “Megalopolis” as an architect aiming to rebuild New York City as a utopia following a disaster, also denied reports of chaos on set. “I’ve been on sets that were chaotic, and this one is far from it,” Driver told Deadline last year. Coppola echoed this sentiment, stating that the reports never identified their sources and that the film was progressing smoothly.
“Megalopolis” features a star-studded cast, including Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, and Aubrey Plaza. The film has been a long-gestating project for Coppola, who first conceived the idea while making his celebrated Vietnam War film “Apocalypse Now” over four decades ago. The director ultimately decided to fund the project himself, investing $120 million of his own money to bring it to life.
As of now, “Megalopolis” has yet to secure a distributor in the US, and its future remains uncertain. However, Coppola remains hopeful that his vision will eventually reach audiences. Despite the allegations and mixed reactions, the director’s dedication to his craft and his belief in the power of hope continue to drive him forward.
