November 21, 2024

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Video of Francis Ford Coppola kissing extras from the movie “Megalopolis”

Video of Francis Ford Coppola kissing extras from the movie “Megalopolis”

Two videos have emerged showing Megalopolis director Francis Ford Coppola, pictured above, “kissing”[ing] “Some of the actresses are naked and wearing semi-transparent clothes on set.” AFP via Getty Images

Before the premiere of “Megalopolis” at the Cannes Film Festival last May, investigative journalists accused the film’s director, Francis Ford Coppola, of behaving inappropriately toward some women on the set.

Eyewitnesses He told the Guardian newspaper: At the time, Coppola, 85, “came onto the set and tried to kiss some topless, semi-sheer actresses” while filming a scene in a nightclub.

Several sources told the newspaper that Coppola may be “old school” in his treatment of female cast members and actors, even pulling a few of them to sit on his lap.

Coppola (seen here at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024) engaged in this behavior while filming a nightclub scene. WireImage
Sources say Coppola (here shown in Cannes in May 2024) may be “old school” in his dealings with female actors and crew members. WireImage

Friday, Variety has obtained two videos. Which seems to confirm the witnesses’ claim about kissing.

The scene in question was filmed in February 2023 at the Tabernacle, a concert hall in Atlanta.

According to the call sheet reviewed by the agency, the extras playing female park attendants “were approved to appear topless,” while others in the scene were approved to appear in semi-transparent clothing.

An insider who was present at the nightclub shoot told Variety that there were between 150 and 200 people on the set.

The director (seen here at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024) reportedly pulled a few children to sit on his lap. Magic movie
Megalopolis had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival last May. AFP via Getty Images

While Coppola was directing, he was allegedly constantly jumping in to kiss and hug various women, often inadvertently inserting himself into the shot and thus ruining it.

The source described this behaviour as “unusual”.

After several takes, Coppola allegedly took to the microphone and announced to everyone in the room, “Sorry – if I come near you and kiss you, know that it’s just for my enjoyment.”

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The Guardian reported that the director’s wife, Eleanor Coppola, fell ill while filming “Megalopolis.” A company spokesman said she was on the set during the filming “until her illness prevented her from being there.” She died in April.

A source close to Francis noted that the film was on schedule and on budget despite Eleanor’s death.

The film stars Giancarlo Esposito, Aubrey Plaza, Romy Crockett Mars, and Adam Driver (seen here at the Cannes Film Festival in May). Getty Images
The film will be released in cinemas in September. WireImage

Francis’s representative declined to comment on the videos and allegations of his behavior. Sixx also reached out to him for comment, but had not received a response at the time of publication.

However, Francis appeared to deny the allegations last month when he The New York Times asked Regarding the Guardian report detailing the incident, he told the newspaper: “I’m not sensitive” because “I’m very shy.”

Meanwhile, co-executive producer Darren Demeter tried to defend the director in a statement in which he actually admitted to the physical touching.

“There were two days when we shot a Studio 54-style party scene, where Francis would walk around the set setting the mood by giving hugs and kisses on the cheek to the actors and background players,” he said in part.

“It was his way of helping to inspire and establish the atmosphere of the club, which is very important to the film.”

As Coppola (seen here in November 2009) directed the aforementioned nightclub scene, he allegedly kept jumping up to kiss and hug several women. Getty Images
After several takes, Coppola (seen here in October 2009) allegedly stepped up to the microphone and announced to everyone in the room, “Sorry – if I come near you and kiss you, just know that it’s for my pleasure only.” Reuters

Dimitri added that he was “never aware of any complaints of harassment or misconduct during the implementation of the project.”

The Guardian report pointed to other unprofessional behavior by Francis on the set, who funded the entire $120 million project himself.

A source told Variety that crew members looked at each other nervously as Coppola kissed and hugged the extras, but no one openly objected or tried to intervene.

Coppola (pictured here in October 2019) financed the entire $120 million project himself. Corbis via Getty Images
“Because Coppola was financing the film, there was no HR department to monitor things,” one source said. “Who were they supposed to talk to? Were they supposed to complain to Coppola and report him himself?” Jordan Strauss/Invision/Associated Press

“Since Coppola financed the film, there was no HR department to monitor things,” a second source said. “Who were they supposed to talk to? Complain to Coppola and report Coppola to himself?”

Neither of the two intimacy coordinators who worked on the film were on set the day of the nightclub scene, with one telling the outlet, “I can’t really speak to why they chose to bring us in when they did and not when they didn’t.”

In the days following the scene, a production source said senior cast members became concerned about the kissing videos going viral, so they reminded everyone that their non-disclosure agreements stipulated that they would not share footage of any behind-the-scenes work.

Megalopolis will be released in theaters in September.