Francis Ford Coppola rejected the characterization of his conduct on the Megalopolis set as disrespectful, saying in a June 2024 interview, “I’m not touchy-feely. I’m too shy.” His response came after a newspaper reported allegations from crew sources about his behavior during a nightclub scene. Other accounts differ: executive producer Darren Demetre said he knew of no complaints, and extra Rayna Menz later said the claims did not match her experience.
What were the allegations about Coppola on the Megalopolis set?
Before Megalopolis premiered at Cannes in May 2024, The Guardian reported that crew sources alleged Coppola pulled women onto his lap and tried to kiss some female extras while filming a nightclub scene. These were allegations attributed to sources cited by the newspaper, not an adjudicated finding.
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How did the executive producer describe the scene?
Executive producer Darren Demetre said he had not been aware of complaints of harassment or ill behavior. He described Coppola giving cast and background performers friendly hugs and cheek kisses during two days of filming a celebratory club scene, and said the contact was intended to help establish the scene’s atmosphere. That is Demetre’s account of what he observed; it does not establish how every person on set experienced the interactions.
What did Coppola say in response?
In a June 2024 interview with The New York Times, reported by The Independent, Coppola rejected the characterization of his conduct as disrespectful. He said: “I’m not touchy-feely. I’m too shy.” The Guardian also reported the remark in its coverage of his response.
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What did the July footage and Rayna Menz add?
In July, Variety published footage supplied by a crew member. The Guardian described it as showing Coppola approaching women during a nightclub scene and apparently leaning in to hug or kiss them, or whisper. Those published descriptions are not an independent determination of what the footage proves.
Rayna Menz, an extra visible in the footage, later disputed the allegations. She said the claims about Coppola were untrue and that he did not make her or others on set uncomfortable, according to The Guardian. Menz’s statement describes her account and experience; it does not resolve what other people may have experienced.
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What did Coppola say later in Toronto?
In September 2024, while in Toronto, Coppola declined to discuss the reports, telling the Associated Press, “I don’t even want to (discuss it). It’s a waste of time.” The AP also reported his separate statement that he was respectful of women. The Associated Press report documents those comments; they were distinct from his June interview response.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How should the different accounts be understood?
The public record described here consists of differing accounts with different vantage points: crew sources made allegations about conduct during filming; Demetre said he knew of no complaints and characterized the interactions he observed as friendly scene-setting; Coppola rejected the disrespectful characterization and later declined to discuss the reports; and Menz said the allegations did not reflect her experience. None of these statements alone establishes what happened to every person involved. The cited 2024 reporting does not establish the current status or outcome of any related litigation.
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