The filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola 85, spoke in an interview with New York Teamsabout allegations of misconduct on the set of “Megalopolis” published by The Guardian. The British newspaper’s report heard sources who alleged “chaotic behavior” on the part of the director “pulling women to sit on his lap” and “trying to kiss some of the topless and semi-naked extras”.
The American magazine’s film critic interviewed him at the Cannes Festival, where the film was shown for the first time, and wrote that he responded in an “incoherent” way on the subject.
“My mother told me that if you make advances toward a woman, that means you disrespect her, and the girls I had crushes on, I certainly didn’t disrespect them,” Coppola said.
“I’m not squeamish. I’m very shy”, added the director to The New York Times.
“Megalopolis” executive producer Darren Demetre released a statement following the news report. The Guardianstating that “I was never aware of any complaints of harassment or bad behavior during the course of the project.”
“There were two days where we filmed a celebratory scene where Francis walked around the set to establish the spirit of the scene, giving hugs and gentle cheek kisses to the cast and extras. It was his way of helping inspire and establish the club atmosphere that was so important to the film,” he continued in the statement.
This is not the first time that the behind-the-scenes of a Coppola film has been involved in controversy. Remember other productions by the filmmaker that gave people something to talk about.
“Megalopolis” It was shown at the 77th Cannes Festival and received just 50% approval from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, the web’s main critic aggregator.
According to reports on social media, viewers even booed after the end of the show, but soon afterwards the reaction was replaced by applause, which lasted around seven minutes.
Coppola described the film as “the best work I have had the privilege of leading.” The filmmaker is responsible for emblematic productions in the history of cinema, such as the trilogy “The Godfather” (1972/1974/1990) and “Apocalypse Now” (1979).
The plot starring Adam Driver (“Marriage Stories” and “Ferrari”), Nathalie Emmanuel (“Fast and Furious” and “Game of Thrones”), Dustin Hoffman (“Kramer vs. Kramer” and “Rain Man”), Shia LaBeouf (“Transformers” and “Iron Hearts”) and Aubrey Plaza (“The White Lotus”) follows an architect who wants to rebuild New York City as a utopia after a devastating disaster.
The director revealed that the film is dedicated to his wife Eleanor Coppola , who died at the age of 87 on April 12th. They were together for 61 years and are parents to Roman Coppola (writer and producer of several Wes Anderson films) and Sofia Coppola (“Encontros e Desencontros” and “Priscilla”).
“Megalópolis” is the director’s first feature film in years. His last major production was in 2011, “Virginia”, a horror starring Val Kilmer and Elle Fanning.
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Source: CNN Brasil
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