Coppola defends on‑set behaviour amid 'Megalopolis' controversy

Francis Ford Coppola, director of the iconic "The Godfather," found himself at the centre of controversy after reports of his inappropriate behaviour on the set of the film "Megalopolis" surfaced in the media. Now, the creator has decided to respond to the allegations.

Films and witness accounts describing Coppola’s inappropriate behaviour towards extras raised significant interest. The director, who self-financed the £99 million production of "Megalopolis," allegedly kissed several women on set against their will.

In an interview with "Rolling Stone," referring to the article first published by "The Guardian," Coppola defended himself, claiming the information was "completely untrue." The director argued that the kisses he was accused of were directed at persons he knew and were social in nature. Coppola claimed the defamatory article was an attempt to sabotage the release of "Megalopolis."

- The truth of the matter is, they were looking for some sort of dirt. The young women I kissed on the cheek in regards to the New Year’s scene — they were young women I knew - he admitted.

The issue was further complicated by the fact that intimacy coordinators were not present while filming the scenes in question, as reported by "Variety." On the other hand, one of the actresses on set, Rayna Menz, defended Coppola. On Instagram, she wrote that the reports about the director were false and that working with him was an honour. Her colleague, Lauren Pagone, shared a different perspective, saying she felt uncomfortable due to Coppola's behaviour.

Amidst growing controversy, Coppola, in a conversation with "Rolling Stone," emphasised that his unconventional approach to filmmaking is why he faced such fierce opposition. The director is determined to defend his artistic vision while denying ill intent.

"Megalopolis" has been a hot topic long before its official release on 27 September. In addition to the described on-set situations, a trailer that should not have been released was also published.

Studio Lionsgate pulled the latest trailer from circulation. The decision came after controversies regarding critic quotes contained in the trailer, which, as investigations by Vulture and other media revealed, were fabricated.

"Megalopolis" is a Roman epic set in an imaginary contemporary America. The film tells the story of the conflict between Caesar Catilina (Adam Driver), an artist-genius striving for a utopian, idealistic future, and his antagonist, Mayor Franklin Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), defending a regressive status quo. Between them stands Julia Cicero (Nathalie Emmanuel), the mayor's daughter, torn between love and beliefs about what humanity truly deserves.