Behind the scenes of ‘Megalopolis’: A closer look at the controversy

An unexpected encounter on set

An extra on the set of Francis Ford Coppola’s highly anticipated film, Megalopolis, recently shared her experience of an unexpected and unsettling encounter with the legendary director. During the filming of a nightclub scene, the extra, who has chosen to remain anonymous, described feeling “shocked” when Coppola approached her, hugged, and kissed her without prior consent.

“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 around a couple times,” she recounted.

The broader context of the incident

This revelation comes in the wake of videos surfacing online, showing Coppola engaging in similar behavior with other female extras. One of the women in the video, who has worked on several high-profile projects, including Mayor of Kingstown and City on Fire, expressed that this situation was highly unusual compared to her previous experiences on set. Typically, an intimacy coordinator is present during scenes involving nudity or close physical contact, but this was not the case during the nightclub sequence in Megalopolis.

Diverging perspectives

Another actress, Rayna Menz, who was also seen in the videos, defended Coppola, stating that he “did nothing to make me or for that matter anyone on set feel uncomfortable.” However, the extra who came forward felt compelled to share her story after Menz’s comments, emphasizing that no one should speak for the entire cast and crew.

“I don’t appreciate anybody speaking for me. I would never speak for that actress,” she said. “It’s frustrating that she’s putting out there, ‘Hey, it was great for everyone’ when she doesn’t know what other people were feeling. You can’t speak for anyone but yourself. My experience was different.”

The role of intimacy coordinators

Samantha McDonald, one of the film’s intimacy coordinators, confirmed that neither she nor her colleague, Ashley Anderson, were present during the filming of the nightclub scene. This absence raises questions about the decision-making process regarding when and why intimacy coordinators are brought onto set.

Additional accounts of similar behavior

In recent days, another cast member came forward, recounting a similar incident during a New Year’s Eve scene. Coppola reportedly encouraged extras to kiss each other as they would at a typical holiday party and mentioned that he might join in. After calling cut, he proceeded to kiss multiple women on the cheek without their consent.

“The women that I saw being kissed did not see him coming. He just basically grabbed them and planted the kiss on them without any kind of consent,” the cast member said. “They all kind of laughed it off for a moment and then I could tell that they were just surprised.”

The impact on the production environment

The crew member who filmed the initial video confirmed that Coppola’s behavior was not an isolated incident. They described the overall atmosphere on set as “super weird and uncomfortable,” noting that Coppola’s actions often disrupted the filming process.

“My entire experience being on that set was super weird and uncomfortable. It was probably the worst experience for me on a set ever,” the crew member shared.

The power dynamics at play

Sources close to the production suggested that Coppola’s status as a film icon and his financial control over the project contributed to a lack of accountability. Unlike productions backed by major studios or streaming platforms, which typically have formalized human resources departments, Megalopolis lacked a clear avenue for addressing such concerns.

A controversial statement

In one particularly striking moment, Coppola reportedly addressed the entire room via microphone, saying, “Sorry, if I come up to you and kiss you. Just know it’s solely for my pleasure.” This statement, coupled with his actions, has sparked significant debate about the boundaries of acceptable behavior on set.

Looking ahead

Despite the controversy, Megalopolis, starring Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza, and Shia LaBeouf, is set for domestic release on September 27. As the film approaches its release date, the industry will undoubtedly continue to grapple with the implications of these revelations and the broader conversation about consent and professionalism in the entertainment world.

For those interested in seeing the trailer and learning more about the film, you can visit the Megalopolis information page.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced perspective on the recent events surrounding the production of Megalopolis. By exploring the various accounts and broader context, it seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in maintaining a respectful and professional environment on set.