The director of ‘Apocalypse Now’ responds to rumors and references about his methods on the set of his latest film
Francis Ford Coppola has responded to accusations that he abused actresses in the filming of ‘Megalopolis’, which was reported in a report published by The Guardian just about to present the film in Cannes. In the accusation several anonymous members of the team They claimed Coppola behaved inappropriately during production.
Respect for the Coppola wife
In an interview with Manohla Dargis of the New York Times during the Festival, the filmmaker indirectly denied the accusations. Coppola pointed out how he was raised and the morals he learned from his motherItaly Coppola.
“My mother told me that if you approach a woman it means you disrespect her, and I didn’t disrespect the girls I liked. There was a photo of one of the “girls” I kissed on the cheek that was been taken by her father. I met her when she was 9 years old.
A source confirmed to IndieWire that the woman in question worked as an extra on the filming of ‘Megalopolis’. Coppola added to The New York Times: “I’m not an affectionate jerk. I’m too shy”. In The Guardian it was stated that Coppola could be “old school” in his behavior with women. He allegedly “pulled” women to sit on her lap, for example. And during a bacchanalian nightclub scene being shot for the movie, according to witnesses, Coppola walked onto the set and tried to kiss some of the topless and scantily clad extras. He apparently claimed that he was “trying to set the tone of the scene.”
When the accusations became public before the premiere of ‘Megalopolis’ in Cannes, the first assistant director, Mariela Comitini shared a statement with IndieWire.
“As a first assistant director with over 35 films under my belt, I can say that working alongside Francis Ford Coppola was an honor. I’ve seen how Francis created a vibrant, professional and positive environment on set, and I’d love to be a part of it.” celebration in Cannes. As one of the most respected directors in the industry, Francis was undeterred by the enormity of this undertaking, and completed the film on time and on budget.”
The co-executive producer Darren Demetre also issued a statement refuting the claims and said that:
“I have never been aware of any complaints of harassment during production. I have known and worked with Francis and his family for over 35 years. As one of the first assistant directors and executive producer of his new epic, ‘Megalopolis,’ I helped to supervise and advise production and directed the second unit.
There were two days when we shot a celebration scene in a Studio 54-style club in which Francis walked around the set to establish the spirit of the scene giving hugs and kisses on the cheek to the cast and background actors. It was his way of inspiring and creating the club atmosphere, so important to the film. “I was never aware of any complaints of harassment or bad behavior during the course of the project.”
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