With two months to go before the release of "Megalopolis," things are about to get awkward.
Video has surfaced of director Francis Ford Coppola that shows the legendary director trying to kiss young female extras on the set of his ambitious sci-fi epic. Variety has obtained two videos (posted below) that were taken by a crewmember last year during the filming of a bacchanalian nightclub scene.
Two sources told Variety that Coppola appeared to act with impunity on set. And unlike traditional movies, Coppola financed the entire $120 million budget himself, so there were none of the traditional checks and balances in place. The videos would appear to corroborate a bombshell report in the Guardian that claimed the 85-year-old director "tried to kiss some of the topless and scantily clad female extras" and told them "he was 'trying to get them in the mood.'" The Guardian story broke right before "Megalopolis" made its world premiere in Competition in Cannes.
The scene in question, which features actress Nathalie Emmanuel, was shot on Feb. 14, 2023, at the Tabernacle, a concert hall in Atlanta. The call sheet, which Variety has reviewed, says the actresses playing female party goers had been "cleared for topless nudity" while others in the scene had been "cleared for scantily clad."
The sources claim that Coppola's behavior was unprofessional. One source who was on the set during the nightclub scene estimated that between 150 to 200 people were assembled, including background actors and crew as Coppola started directing the scene. The filmmaker kept leaping up to hug and kiss several women, often inadvertently inserting himself into the shot and ruining it, which the source said was unusual.
"I've worked with really important directors and that behavior is uncommon -- the most I've ever seen any director do is say something like, 'high energy, guys,'" the source adds. "I've never seen anyone on set, and this extends to a camera operator, so much as touch an actor."
The source said that after multiple takes, Coppola got on a microphone and announced in earshot of everyone in the room, "Sorry, if I come up to you and kiss you. Just know it's solely for my pleasure."
A spokesperson for Coppola declined to comment on the videos or the claims 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 in on time, on budget.
Coppola's team provided two on the record statements from people involved with the production. Darren Demetre, an executive producer of "Megalopolis," noted that "there were two days when we shot a celebratory Studio 54-esque club scene where Francis walked around the set to establish the spirit of the scene by giving kind hugs and kisses on the cheek to the cast and background players. It was his way to help inspire and establish the club atmosphere, which was so important to the film. I was never aware of any complaints of harassment or ill behavior during the course of the project."
In another statement supplied by Coppola's team, Mariela Comitini, the film's first assistant director, described working with the director as "an honor."
"I watched as Francis created a vibrant, professional, and positive environment on set," she added. "As one of the industry's most well-respected master filmmakers, Francis was undaunted by the enormity of this undertaking."
However, sources dispute her depiction of a "professional environment." During the shooting of the nightclub scene, crew members looked at each other uncomfortably as Coppola kissed and embraced the background actors, but one source says no one publicly objected to his behavior or tried to stop it. That may have something to do with how much control Coppola was able to exert since there wasn't an outside studio or streamer with its own HR department involved with the production.
"Because Coppola funded it there was no HR department to keep things in check," says a second source. "Who were they supposed to talk 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 such as one involving stars Aubrey Plaza and Shia LaBeouf. McDonald tells Variety that neither she nor Anderson were on set the day of the nightclub scene. "I can't really speak to the reason why they chose to bring us in when they did and not when they didn't," she adds.
One production source says that days after the nightclub scene, senior crew members became concerned that video was circulating of Coppola kissing extras and reminded them that as part of their non-disclosure agreements they had signed they were not authorized to share footage of the behind-the-scenes work.
Veteran intimacy coordinator Yarit Dor, who was not involved with the film but could speak broadly about best practices, says the situation sounds highly unorthodox.
"In the intimacy coordination community, it is recommended that scenes [with nudity involving extras] have more than one intimacy coordinator on set. Overseeing and helping choreograph intimate action for so many people is not something that one intimacy coordinator can do alone," Dor says. "On the shoot day, the intimacy coordinators will help establish clear intimacy choreography with the supporting artists, coach intimate movement and check in on them."
A source close to Coppola said there was an intimacy coordinator on set during relevant shooting dates and scenes.
In June, Lionsgate acquired domestic distribution rights for the film and set a Sept. 27 release date. Coppola, who will pay for the film's marketing costs, had been looking for a fourth-quarter awards-qualifying release date. The film, which also stars Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito and Jon Voight, is expected to be competitive in below-the-line categories.
"Megalopolis" marks the latest film from the Oscar-winning director behind the "Godfather" trilogy. Last week, he was named a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors and will be feted at the annual ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 8.
"I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to collaborate with great artists and wonderful people throughout my career, and I have never stopped learning," Coppola said in a statement about being named a recipient.
