Francis Ford Coppola, legendary director of the upcoming epic “Megalopolis,” faces controversy over his behavior on set, particularly during a nightclub scene where he allegedly attempted to kiss several extras.
According to reports from The Guardian, Coppola was trying to instill a certain mood for the scene by kissing some of the topless and scantily clad female extras, claiming he was
“trying to get them in the mood.”
In defense, executive co-producer Darren Demetre explained:
“He did kiss some extras on the cheek in a friendly manner, and no one ever told him that Coppola’s behavior made them uncomfortable.”
Demetre, who has worked with Coppola and his family for over 35 years, added,
“It was his way to help inspire and establish the club atmosphere, which was so important to the film. I was never aware of any complaints of harassment or ill behavior during the course of the project.”
The film, self-financed by Coppola with $120 million, is set in a dystopian New York and features stars such as Adam Driver and Giancarlo Esposito.
Despite the allegations, the film crew described Coppola as deeply involved and creative, albeit with an old-school approach that sometimes led to misunderstandings.
“Megalopolis” is set to seek U.S. distribution shortly after its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.
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