Fame director Francis Ford Coppola has denied stories of inappropriate conduct on the set of his newest epic Megalopolis, saying: “I’m not touchy-feely.”
The Godfather director, 85, premiered his 140-minute self-financed magnum opus, which stars Adam Driver and Aubrey Plaza, on the Cannes Movie Competition in Might.
On the eve of the premiere, The Guardian printed a report alleging “chaotic conduct” on the set, together with Coppola reportedly “pulling girls to sit down on his lap” and “making an attempt to kiss among the topless and scantily-clad feminine extras.”
In a brand new interview with The New York Instances, Coppola reacted to the allegations by first referencing his mom Italia, who he stated resembled Hedy Lamarr. “My mom instructed me that in case you make an advance towards a lady, it means you disrespect her, and the ladies I had crushes on, I actually didn’t disrespect them,” he stated.
Pressed additional concerning the particular allegations, Coppola stated there was a photograph of one of many “ladies” he had kissed on the cheek that had been taken by her father. “I knew her when she was 9,” stated the director.
He added: “I’m not touchy-feely. I’m too shy.”
In a press release responding to The Guardian report, Megalopolis government producer Darren Demetre stated: “I used to be by no means conscious of any complaints of harassment or ailing conduct in the course of the course of the undertaking.
“Francis efficiently produced and directed an infinite impartial movie, making all of the tough selections to make sure it was delivered on time and on price range, whereas remaining true to his inventive imaginative and prescient.
“There have been two days after we shot a celebratory Studio 54-esque membership scene the place Francis walked across the set to determine the spirit of the scene by giving variety hugs and kisses on the cheek to the solid and background gamers.
“It was his manner to assist encourage and set up the membership environment, which was so necessary to the movie.”
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The movie obtained a blended response at its Cannes premiere.
Journalists current on the screening reported booing from the viewers after the movie ended. Nevertheless, the boos shortly turned to cheers when an “In Memoriam” phase proceeded to play for Coppola’s late spouse Eleanor, World of Reel’s Jordan Ruimy reported.
The director and solid then obtained a seven-minute standing ovation.
“Thanks all a lot. It’s so unimaginable to search out phrases to let you know how I really feel,” Coppola stated after the credit rolled, introducing his members of the family to the viewers.
“However they weren’t the one household as a result of all of those fantastic actors and people have been all my household. As Cesar [Driver’s character in the film] says, we’re all one household. You’re all my cousins. We’re one. We’re the human household. As you see on the finish, that’s who we should always pledge our allegiance to: our whole household and to this lovely house, Earth, that we have now.
“That’s my want. That it’s the youngsters who’re going to inherit this lovely world from us. A very powerful phrase we have now is essentially the most lovely phrase in any language: ‘esperanza.’ Hope. And that’s what I dedicate this to.”
