In a May 14 piece in The Guardian, Francis Ford Coppola was accused of inappropriate behavior on the set of Megalopolis. Below, here’s what we know, including the initial allegations and new footage of Coppola trying to kiss multiple Megalopolis extras.
‘Old school’ behavior
May 14, 2024: Francis Ford Coppola has been accused of engaging in “old school” behavior toward women on the set of his upcoming film about the future, Megalopolis, in a May 14 piece in The Guardian. The story chronicles the 40-year process of getting Megalopolis made and the chaotic process of its filming, during which half the art department left or was fired. Coppola, 85, allegedly pulled women onto his lap and, during a two-day-long filming sequence set in a nightclub, allegedly tried to kiss female extras who were in states of undress to get them “in the mood.” Executive co-producer of Megalopolis Darren Demetre told The Guardian Coppola gave the extras “kind hugs and kisses on the cheek.” “It was his way to help inspire and establish the club atmosphere, which was so important to the film,” he added. “I was never aware of any complaints of harassment or ill behaviour during the course of the project.”
Megalopolis, a sci-fi dystopian film starring Adam Driver as an architect with the power to freeze time, is a Coppola passion project of the nth degree. He sold part of his vineyard to finance it, and it has made distributors famously antsy, with one saying after a screening that “anybody who puts P&A behind it, you’re going to lose money.” The film is scheduled to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 17, where it is playing in competition. After 40 years, will the chaos behind the scenes lead to brilliance or more mess?
‘I’m too shy’
June 8, 2024: Francis Ford Coppola has, in a roundabout way, denied inappropriate behavior toward women on the Megalopolis set. Per the New York Times when asked about The Guardian’s May 14 report, Coppola gave a “rambling” response that led with his mother, Italia. “My mother told me that if you make an advance toward a woman, it means you disrespect her, and the girls I had crushes on, I certainly didn’t disrespect them,” he said. The Guardian’s piece included allegations that the director had tried to kiss extras. According to the Times piece, which was published on June 6, Coppola “added that there was a photo of one of the ‘girls’ he kissed on the cheek that had been taken by her father.” In reference to this unnamed person, the director said, “I knew her when she was 9.” He added, “I’m not touchy-feely. I’m too shy.”
Video surfaces
July 26, 2024: Variety obtained footage of Coppola trying to kiss multiple Megalopolis extras on the set of his overstuffed passion project. The two videos were taken by a crew member while filming a nightclub scene with around 150 to 200 people assembled. Sources told the outlet that Coppola appeared to act with impunity on set, even when shooting vulnerable scenes that involved half-dressed extras. According to Variety, the videos were taken on February 14, 2023, while filming scenes with extras cleared for either “topless nudity” or “scantily clad.” A source said Coppola’s behavior was uncommon, which included leaping to hug and kiss the half-dressed women while ruining takes. At one point, the director got a microphone to make an announcement. “Sorry, if I come up to you and kiss you,” he allegedly said in earshot of the cast and crew after multiple takes. “Just know it’s solely for my pleasure.”
Mariela Comitini, the film’s first assistant director, called the film a “professional environment” in a statement, but a source disputed that account. “Because Coppola funded it, there was no HR department to keep things in check,” the source said. “Who were they supposed to talk to? Complain to Coppola and report Coppola to himself?”
This post has been updated.