Francis Ford Coppola responds to allegations of inappropriate behavior

Francis Ford Coppola visited the Cannes Film Festival last month to triumphantly celebrate the completion of his epic film “Megalopolis,” which he has been working on for nearly 40 years.

The celebrations were, however, somewhat undermined by mixed reviews of the film itself, as well as a Guardian report of “chaotic behavior” on the set of “Megalopolis”, including from the “Godfather” director who allegedly “pushed women to sit on his set”. tour” and “trying to kiss some of the topless and scantily clad female extras”.

New York Times film critic Manohla Dargis interviewed Coppola at Cannes and didn't shy away from the subject of the accusations. Coppola responded in a “disjointed” manner, Dargis wrote in an interview published Thursday. The filmmaker responded by first mentioning his mother Italia, who he said looked like Hedy Lamarr. “My mother told me that if you make a pass at a woman, it means you're disrespecting her, and the girls I had a crush on, I certainly didn't disrespect them.”

“I’m not touchy,” Coppola told the New York Times. “I am too shy.”

“On further prodding,” Dargis wrote, “(Coppola) added that there was a photo of one of the 'girls' he kissed on the cheek that had been taken by his father. I met her when she was 9 years old.

“Megalopolis” executive producer Darren Demeter released a statement after the Guardian report, saying: “I am never aware of any complaints of harassment or bad behavior during the project.

“Francis successfully produced and directed a huge independent film, making all the difficult decisions to ensure it was delivered on time and on budget, while remaining true to his creative vision. There were two days where we shot a Studio 54-style club party scene, where Francis would walk around the set establishing the spirit of the scene by giving gentle hugs and kisses on the cheek to the actors and background actors. It was his way of helping to inspire and establish the atmosphere of the club, which was so important to the film,” Demeter’s statement continues.

“Megalopolis,” which stars Adam Driver, Shia LaBeouf, Nathalie Emmanuel and Aubrey Plaza, is still looking for a U.S. distribution partner, although Imax has committed to showing the film widely on its oversized screens. The film gained distribution in many overseas territories.