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With two months to go until the release of “Megalopolis,” things are starting to get awkward.
A video of director Francis Ford Coppola has surfaced, showing the legendary director attempting to kiss young female extras on the set of his ambitious sci-fi film. Variety obtained two videos (posted below) that were taken by a crew member last year while filming a bacchanal scene in a nightclub.
Two sources said Variety Coppola acted with impunity on set. And unlike traditional films, Coppola financed the entire $120 million budget himself, so there were none of the traditional checks and balances in place. The videos appear to corroborate an explosive Guardian report that claimed the 85-year-old director “tried to kiss some of the topless and scantily clad extras” and told them “he was trying to get them in the mood.” The Guardian report broke just before the world premiere of “Megalopolis” in competition at Cannes.
The scene in question, which features actress Nathalie Emmanuel, was filmed on February 14, 2023, at the Tabernacle, a concert hall in Atlanta. The call sheet, which Variety said the actresses playing party girls were “allowed to be topless” while others in the scene were “allowed to be scantily clad.”
Sources say Coppola’s behavior was unprofessional. A source who was on set during the nightclub scene estimated that between 150 and 200 people were gathered, including extras and crew, when Coppola began directing the scene. The filmmaker kept jumping up to kiss and hug several women, often inadvertently inserting himself into the scene and ruining it, which the source said was unusual.
“I’ve worked with some very important directors and this behavior is unusual. The most I’ve ever seen a director do is say something like, ‘Lots of energy, guys,'” the source adds. “I’ve never seen anyone on set, and this applies to a cameraman as well, touch an actor.”
The source said that after several takes, Coppola stepped up to the microphone and announced within earshot of everyone in the room, “Sorry if I come up to you and kiss you. Just know it’s just for my own pleasure.”
A spokesperson for Coppola declined to comment on the videos or the allegations about Coppola’s behavior. However, a source close to the filmmaker noted that despite the death of Coppola’s wife, Eleanor Coppola, in April, “‘Megalopolis’ came out on time and on budget.”
Coppola’s team provided two official statements from people involved in the production. Darren Demetre, executive producer of “Megalopolis,” said: “We shot a party scene in a Studio 54-style club for two days, where Francis would walk around the set establishing the spirit of the scene by giving hugs and kisses on the cheek to the actors and extras. It was his way of inspiring and establishing the atmosphere of the club, which was so important to the film. I have never been aware of any complaints of harassment or misconduct during the course of the project.”
In a separate statement provided by Coppola’s team, Mariela Comitini, the film’s first assistant director, described working with the director as “an honor.”
“I watched Francis create a dynamic, professional and positive environment on set,” she added. “As one of the most respected master filmmakers in the industry, Francis was undaunted by the enormity of this undertaking.”
However, sources dispute her description of a “professional environment.” During the nightclub scene, crew members would awkwardly stare at each other as Coppola kissed and hugged the actors in the background, but one source says no one publicly objected to her behavior or tried to stop her. This may have something to do with the amount of control Coppola was able to exert since there was no outside studio or streamer with its own HR department involved in the production.
“Because Coppola was financing the project, there was no human resources department to monitor the situation,” a second source says. “Who were they supposed to go to? Complain to Coppola and report Coppola to himself?”
Samantha McDonald and Ashley Anderson were the two intimacy coordinators who worked on the film, which included a number of sex scenes like one involving stars Aubrey Plaza and Shia LaBeouf. McDonald says Variety that neither she nor Anderson were on set the day of the nightclub scene. “I can’t really say why they chose to bring us in when they did and not when they didn’t,” she adds.
A production source said that days after the nightclub scene, senior crew members became concerned about the release of a video showing Coppola kissing extras and reminded them that under the nondisclosure agreements they had signed, they were not allowed to share behind-the-scenes footage.
Yarit Dor, a veteran intimacy coordinator who was not involved in the film but could speak widely about best practices, says the situation seems highly unorthodox.
“In the intimacy coordination community, it is recommended that scenes (with nudity involving extras) be done by more than one intimacy coordinator on set. Supervising and helping to choreograph an intimate action for that many people is not something a single intimacy coordinator can do,” Dor explains. “On the day of the shoot, intimacy coordinators will help establish clear intimacy choreography with supporting performers, coach intimate movements, and monitor them.”
A source close to Coppola said there was an intimacy coordinator on set during the dates and scenes involved.
In June, Lionsgate acquired domestic distribution rights to the film and set a September 27 release date. Coppola, who will pay for the film’s marketing costs, was looking for a fourth-quarter release date that would qualify for awards consideration. The film, which also stars Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito and Jon Voight, is expected to compete in the animated film categories.
“Megalopolis” is the latest film from the Oscar-winning director behind “The Godfather” trilogy. Last week, he received the Kennedy Center Honors and will be honored at the annual ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 8.
“I consider myself very fortunate to have collaborated with great artists and wonderful people throughout my career, and I have never stopped learning,” Coppola said in a statement about being named the winner.