July 27, 2024 07:39 AM IST
Director Coppola has been accused of unprofessional conduct after a video surfaced showing the director kissing young women on the Megalopolis set
Francis Ford Coppola, the cinematic legend behind the iconic Godfather trilogy, is facing a storm of controversy. The director has been caught on camera having intimate moments with extras during the filming of his ambitious project Megalopolis. This comes after rumours that the production environment was tumultuous, including allegations of unprofessional conduct. The video has surfaced just 2 months ahead of the release of the much-anticipated project.
Coppola caught on camera kissing extras amid chaos in Megalopolis
A video obtained by Variety on Friday shows Coppola trying to kiss some of the young female cast members on the set of his science-fiction epic. Filmed by crew members during a drunken nightclub scene, the footage is reportedly from last year. The scene was shot at the Tabernacle, a concert hall in Atlanta, in February 2023. Sources close to the production have accused the legendary director of acting with “impunity” on set.
ALSO READ: Meghan Markle arrives in New York for high stakes Hamptons business summit ahead of new brand launch: Report
Call sheets reviewed by Variety reveal that female extras playing partygoers in the scene were “cleared for topless nudity,” while others were cleared to dress “scantily.” According to an insider who spoke to the outlet, there were between 150 and 200 people on set for the extra, played by actress Nathalie Emmanuel.
Francis Ford Coppola accused of on-set abuse
The videos appear to support shocking allegations made months ago against the 85-year-old actor by the Guardian. They claimed he attempted to kiss topless and partially clothed female actresses on set, saying he was trying to ‘get them in the mood’ for filming. The news emerged just hours before Megalopolis’ highly-anticipated Cannes premiere, sparking widespread outrage.
Also Read: Celine Dion gets teary-eyed while performing at Paris Olympics 2024 amid stiff person syndrome
The Rainmaker director, who single-handedly financed the film’s entire $120 million budget, shocked some when he allegedly continued to kiss and hug multiple women on set. A source revealed a shocking incident in which the director told the cast and crew after multiple takes that any kissing during the scene was for his personal gratification, saying, “Sorry — if I come up to you and kiss you, just know that it’s only for my pleasure.”
Meanwhile, the director’s wife Eleanor Coppola was a constant presence on set until her illness prevented her from working further, as a spokesperson confirmed. Tragically, she passed away in April.
