Francis Ford Coppola Accused of Misconduct During 'Megalopolis' Filming at Cannes

Allegations of Misconduct Surrounding the Premiere of “Megalopolis”

As excitement for the debut of “Megalopolis,” a film by Francis Ford Coppola after a hiatus of more than ten years, reached a crescendo at Cannes, the director found himself at the center of controversy on Tuesday. Allegations surfaced that he attempted to engage in inappropriate behavior with extras during a nightclub scene.

Accusations in The Guardian

An article in The Guardian detailed the tumultuous production of the film and included accounts from anonymous sources alleging that Coppola tried to pull women onto his lap and attempted to kiss scantily clad extras during the nightclub sequence.

Response from Coppola's Representative

In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Coppola referred to a statement from the executive producer, Darren Demetre, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Demetre stated, “I was never aware of any complaints of harassment or ill behavior during the course of the project.” He further explained that when shooting a “celebratory Studio 54-esque club scene,” Coppola aimed to set the atmosphere by offering kind hugs and kisses on the cheek to the cast and background players, intending to inspire and establish the club ambiance, which was crucial to the film.

Production Challenges

The article also shed light on the film’s unconventional production conditions, citing an unnamed crew member who mentioned that Coppola spent prolonged hours in his trailer, causing delays in filming.