Video from behind the scenes on Megalopolis shows director Francis Ford Coppola behaving inappropriately and trying to kiss extras against their will. Variety obtained the video and corroborated what it shows with sources familiar with the situation, who wished to remain anonymous.
The video shows Coppola holding a female cast member by the elbows and attempting to kiss her on the face. The cast member manages to extricate herself from him, and he moves on.
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Variety’s sources say the scene was shot on Feb. 14, 2023, and the incident in question wasn’t an isolated one. Coppola reportedly attempted similar behavior with other cast members, sometimes even putting himself in the shot and interrupting filming as a result. They said Coppola used a microphone after multiple takes to say “Sorry, if I come up to you and kiss you. Just know it’s solely for my pleasure.”
In a later statement, the director said he was just “trying to get them in the mood.”
“I’ve worked with really important directors and that behavior is uncommon,” Variety’s source said. “The most I’ve ever seen any director do is say something like, ’high energy, guys,' [but] I’ve never seen anyone on set, and this extends to a camera operator, so much as touch an actor.”
Coppola employed two Intimacy coordinators during Megalopolis’ filming, and both say they were told their presence during the nightclub scene was unnecessary, despite the call sheet showing several “nude” and “scantily clad” actors on set.
Yarit Dor, a longtime intimacy coordinator, told Variety that any scenes that feature nudity involving extras should have more than one coordinator present during filming, as the complexity of working with so many people is too much for one coordinator to handle alone.
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Variety’s sources said Coppola’s behavior made cast members uncomfortable during the nightclub scene, but none of them felt able to express their discomfort. Variety speculates that lack of willingness to speak out may stem from Coppola’s complete control over Megalopolis’ production. The director financed the film himself and had no HR presence or any oversight from outside parties.
“Because Coppola funded it there was no HR department to keep things in check,” another of Variety's sources said. “Who were they supposed to talk to? Complain to Coppola and report Coppola to himself?”
Darren Demetre, one of Coppola’s executive producers, said he was simply trying to get everyone in the right spirit, and Mariela Comitini, the film’s assistant director, said he created a “vibrant, professional, and positive” environment on set.
Megalopolis’ theatrical release date is set for Sep. 27, 2024.
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