July 27th 2024.
Recently, footage has surfaced of legendary director Francis Ford Coppola on the set of his highly anticipated film Megalopolis. This footage has caused quite a stir, especially since Coppola had previously denied any allegations of inappropriate behavior on set. The 85-year-old director, known for his iconic films such as Apocalypse Now and The Godfather, had released a statement in June denying any claims of being "touchy-feely" with his cast and crew.
The sci-fi blockbuster, starring Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, and Shia LaBeouf, has faced numerous controversies since its production began. In particular, Coppola was accused of pulling women onto his lap and trying to kiss extras during a nightclub scene. However, he vehemently denied these accusations, citing his upbringing and the respect for women instilled in him by his mother.
Despite his denial, leaked footage from the set of Megalopolis seems to contradict Coppola's statement. Two videos, allegedly taken by a crew member, show the director moving through a crowded dance floor and attempting to kiss multiple female extras. These videos, obtained by Variety, support previous allegations made in May.
One source revealed to the entertainment magazine, "I've worked with many important directors, and this behavior is uncommon. The most I've ever seen a director do is say something like 'high energy, guys.' I've never seen anyone on set, including the camera operator, touch an actor like that." Another source recounted how Coppola used a megaphone to announce, "Sorry if I come up and kiss you. It's solely for my pleasure."
Megalopolis did have two intimacy coordinators on set, but they were not present during the nightclub scene. When asked about this, intimacy coordinator Samantha McDonald stated, "I can't speak to why they chose to bring us in when they did and not when they didn't." It seems that Coppola's passion project lacked the proper protocols and resources to handle such allegations.
The situation becomes even more complicated when considering that Coppola funded the film himself, meaning there was no HR department to address any complaints. The lack of a proper system for reporting misconduct could have contributed to the alleged incidents going unchecked.
Despite these shocking revelations, Coppola has received support from his co-producer and first assistant director, Darren Demetre. He stated, "I was never aware of any complaints of harassment or ill behavior during the course of the project. I have known and worked with Francis and his family for over 35 years." Demetre also defended Coppola's actions during the filming of the celebratory nightclub scene, stating that the director's hugs and kisses were meant to establish the atmosphere of the scene.
Unfortunately, this is just the latest setback for Megalopolis. The film has already been dubbed "the worst film of 2024" and its release at Cannes was derailed by reports of Coppola's alleged impropriety. Adding to the director's personal tragedy, his wife Eleanor Coppola passed away in April, just months before the controversy surrounding the film.
On top of all this, a recent report by The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Coppola will have to cover the film's $15-20 million marketing campaign himself, bringing the total cost of the film to over $135 million. With all these challenges, it seems that things are not looking good for Megalopolis.
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