2024-08-28 14:21:28
Just a month after articles and videos from the set of Megalopolis revealed that director Francis Ford Coppola had behaved inappropriately on set, he spoke out about the allegations.
The 85-year-old director, who financed his $120 million film project with his own funds, was accused of kissing extras and making some of the ladies on the set feel uncomfortable there.
Videos have also emerged purportedly showing the director kissing women during a nightclub scene in the film, which opens in theaters on September 27.
The Godfather director finally addressed the multiple allegations in a wide-ranging interview with Rolling Stone, where he said the Guardian’s claims were “absolutely false.”
A new video of Francis Ford Coppola grabbing and kissing female extras on the set of ‘MEGALOPOLIS’ has surfaced online.
He reportedly announced with a microphone to the entire set, “Sorry, if I come up to you and kiss you. Just know it’s solely for my pleasure.”
Another source… pic.twitter.com/ZVaLZNgyj6
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 26, 2024
“If you read this article, you’ll find that whatever the sources were — and I honestly don’t know who the sources were — these are the same people who provided information to the Hollywood Reporter saying that all of these people are were fired or resigned,” Coppola said. “The truth is they were looking for some dirt. The young women I kissed on the cheek were young women I knew,” he insists. “It’s all so ridiculous. Look at when this article was released. It’s right before the movie premiered at Cannes. They’re just trying to damage the movie.”
When asked why someone would try to “damage the film,” Coppola explained that it’s because he doesn’t “follow the rules” set in Hollywood, dir writes.
“There’s a tendency in Hollywood that if you follow their rules, you’ll have a better chance of success,” he began. “Well, what about Francis? He’s not following your rules. Well, look what’s going to happen to him, he’s going to fail.”
“I’m trying to do something different here. Film is a change. I mean, the films your grandchildren will make will not be like what we see now,” he said.
The initial report included a source claiming that after kissing several women during a scene, Coppola announced into the microphone, “I’m sorry if I come up to you and kiss you. Just know it’s just for my pleasure.”
However, one of the women seen in the two videos – Raina Mentz – posted a statement on Instagram that read: “None of the allegations about Francis Ford Coppola are true. It was an honor to work with such a legend,” she wrote . “This video was filmed on a CLOSED set where cell phones are prohibited specifically for the safety of all actors. I am disgusted by these allegations and hope that everyone will see the truth for what it is.”
However, another actress, Lauren Pagone, claims he pulled her close and hugged and kissed her. “I was in shock. I didn’t expect him to kiss and hug me like that. I was caught off guard. And I can tell you he came a few times.” She added to Mentz’s statement: “I don’t appreciate someone speaking on my behalf. I would never speak about this actress. I kept my mouth shut. I kept quiet. But it’s disappointing that she’s saying, ‘Hey, it was great for everyone’ when you don’t know what other people feel. You can’t talk about anyone but yourself. My experience was different.”
Lauren Pagone, an extra on the set of Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis” describes the “shock” she felt after the director kissed her during the filming of a scene:
“I was in shock. I didn’t expect him to kiss and hug me like that. I was caught off guard. And I can tell you… pic.twitter.com/qBIJAHwNiG
— Variety (@Variety) August 2, 2024