Francis Ford Coppola with “Megalopolis” in Cannes: End of legend?

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Cannes Film Festival
End of legend? Francis Ford Coppola’s new film draws applause – and boos

At the premiere of his late work “Megalopolis,” the director appeared frail and withdrawn from life. The 85-year-old still doesn’t think about quitting.

Chaos and overwhelmed employees. Half-naked dancers who were kissed against their will. 120 million US dollars from private assets because Hollywood showed no interest. A director who preferred to hang out stoned in his trailer instead of taking care of filming.

Few films have made as many headlines before their premiere as “Megalopolis.” The new mega project from cinema legend Francis Ford Coppola (“The Godfather”) and perhaps his last. The American turned 85 in April, and his wife Eleanor died shortly after his birthday. In pictures he appears increasingly frail and withdrawn from life.

Francis Ford Coppola brought half his family with him to Cannes

Maybe that’s why Coppola brought half his family with him to Cannes. His granddaughters Romy and Cosima Mars supported him as he went to the press conference and otherwise did not leave his side. Next to him on the podium were Roman Coppola and Francis’ sister Talia Shire, who played a mother role in the film. “At the premiere of Apocalypse Now, I was still carrying Sofia on my shoulders,” remembers Coppola Sr. He has already won the Palme d’Or in Cannes twice.

However, it is unlikely that “Megalopolis” could be ahead in this year’s price race. His epic seems too unfinished and half-baked, using the backdrop of the Roman Empire to create a moral image of today’s America and thus want to warn of its impending downfall. Coppola modestly calls his almost two and a half hour work “a fable”; at times it seems more like a circus of monstrosities that throws so many ideas and inspirations into the ring that you lose track. Or patience.

The story in general: A visionary architect (Adam Driver) has discovered a sustainable alternative to concrete and wants to make a metropolis based on New York City fit for the future. Schools instead of casinos, more public spaces, parks and free public transport, private gardens for everyone, not just the rich and powerful. An influential banker (Jon Voight) and his employees (including Dustin Hoffman) as well as the corrupt mayor (Giancarlo Esposito) find this less funny, but his daughter (Nathalie Emmanuel, known as Missandei from “Game of Thrones”) falls in love with the mastermind . Resistance also comes from his cousin (Shia LaBeouf), who wants to start a revolution of the poor against everyone involved.

An abundance of political, religious and moral allusions

Not only is the cast of “Megalopolis” slightly megalomaniac, the clumsily told plot and the abundance of political, religious and moral allusions are a challenge, at least at first viewing. The three main pillars of a society are “economy, journalism and sex appeal,” it says in one scene.

When asked about the political message of his work and a character who was apparently inspired by Donald Trump, Coppola became more explicit. “Men like Trump are not in charge at the moment, but there is a trend in the world towards a neo-right, even fascist tradition,” he said. That is scary. “Anyone who experienced the Second World War, the horrors, doesn’t want that to happen again.” His job as an artist is to “shed light on what is happening in the world.”

Coppola will no longer be asked about the MeToo allegations in Cannes. The co-producer of the film had already refuted and rejected the allegations. Its star LaBeouf – who was denounced by two ex-girlfriends for sexual abuse and will probably have to go to court in the fall – didn’t even appear at the official press conference. In the film he plays his role of the subversive as a crossdresser and trans person. “Revenge tastes particularly good in a dress,” says his character.

“Money doesn’t matter, what’s important are friends”

Is Coppola now having financial problems – his film still doesn’t have a US distributor and is being shown in cinemas in Constantin? Oh, he waves it off, his children already have a secure career of their own, even without much wealth. He only has one message for the rest. “Money doesn’t matter. What’s important are friends. A friend will never let you down, money can disappear at any time.” Coppola also fears that the film industry has become a business of people hired to pay off studios’ heavy debts. Not to make good films.

Adam Driver explained the supposed chaos on the set of his unusual and ambitious production. Working on it felt “like experimental theater – rebellious and exciting. I think the film will continue to gain more and more historically,” he said. Accusing Coppola of craziness and whimsy seems a bit silly anyway. Like no other filmmaker, he ignored budget requirements and other wishes of the studios throughout his life, created timeless art out of chaos and marijuana clouds and made film history.

Regardless of whether “Megalopolis” is celebrated or reviled: Coppola is far from thinking about quitting. “I’ve just started writing my new film,” he tells the listeners. “I’ll come back in 20 years,” he said and quickly glanced up into the sky. Shortly before their death, many people would lament what they wanted to do. He, on the other hand, saw his daughter win an Oscar. He made his own wine and made all the films he wanted to make. “I’m still so busy thinking about what I have left to do that I won’t notice when I die.”