Francis Ford Coppola Faces Backlash Over On-Set Behavior

Legendary director Francis Ford Coppola is under fire after some eyebrow-raising footage surfaced from the set of his upcoming passion project, Megalopolis. Reports indicate that the 85-year-old filmmaker was caught trying to kiss some extras during the filming of a nightclub scene, leading to serious allegations of inappropriate behavior on his part.

In the video shared by Variety, Coppola was seen moving around the set, mingling with female extras who were dressed as partygoers. At various moments, it looked like he attempted to lean in for kisses, prompting unease from those in the vicinity. One witness even described situations where the extras appeared to try and turn away from Coppola, highlighting how uncomfortable the interactions were.

This controversy isn’t entirely new; earlier reports from The Guardian hinted that such antics were somewhat typical of Coppola’s «old school» directing style. Apparently, Coppola has told his cast that if he approaches for a kiss, it’s simply for his own enjoyment. This mindset raised eyebrows among those accustomed to modern and more professional standards on set.

Critics of Coppola’s behavior have noted that his actions disrupted filming, with sources stating he often ruined takes by jumping into the scenes to hug and kiss women. One insider summed it up by saying, “I’ve worked with really important directors, and that behavior is uncommon.”

As the director of classics like The Godfather trilogy, Coppola has certainly made a mark in cinema over the decades. However, this recent behavior has put his reputation at risk. The filming of Megalopolis, which has been in the making for over 40 years, saw Coppola selling off vineyards to finance it, with a staggering budget of $120 million.

Some have pointed out that because Coppola is self-funding the project, traditional workplace protocols like having a clear HR department simply don’t exist. An anonymous insider noted the awkwardness of having to report complaints about the director to, well, the director himself.

The situation prompted mixed responses; while some crew members stood by Coppola, calling him supportive and professional, others felt that the atmosphere he created was uncomfortably chaotic. For instance, the film’s first assistant director, Mariela Comitini, acknowledged that Coppola aimed to create a positive environment but did not directly address the allegations against him.

As the film prepares for its upcoming release in September, tensions around the production are only escalating, with many eager to see how these allegations might affect the film’s reception and Coppola’s career.