Few days back, Variety reignited the #MeToo claims on Megalopolis filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola releasing one video of him kissing young extras. Now, one extra of the film has shared that the reported video is not true. Deadline exclusively published this.
What The Extra Said Following The Video Surfaced?
Francis Ford Coppola. Image Credit: FICG.mx/CC/Flickr
On July 27, Variety published the video where it was seen that Francis Ford Coppola, the acclaimed filmmaker was kissing an extra of Megalopolis. After four days, the extra, who has been identified as Rayna Menz, told Deadline that all the behavior by Coppola was professional.
“He did nothing to make me or for that matter anyone on set feel uncomfortable,” Menz told Deadline. “I felt disgusted, I was blindsided by it because it was a closed set. That someone had video of that is just ridiculous and super unprofessional. It’s gross because he only ever spoke about how wonderful his wife is. His wife was on set with us, most days. It feels gross, seeing that video and they way they were trying to convey a message. Just gross.”
“It was all false,” Menz said. “In fact, I was the one who asked him to dance. I asked him to dance, in front of everybody else. That’s why it’s so funny that this story came out. He even said, something along the lines of — mind you it was over a year ago so this is not a proper quote — but he said something like, ‘I’m a gentleman, and I would never say no to a lady.’ And then we waltzed, to club music.”
“He was nothing but professional, a gentleman, he was like this cute Italian grandfather, running around the set,” she said. “It was just so much fun. He’s a nice generous person.”
What Was The Released Video About?
Francis Ford Coppola (File photo). Image Credit: Dick Thomas Johnson/CC
The videos showed Coppola kissing young female extras. The footage shows him walking through a crowded dance floor, hugging various dancing women, and kissing several on the cheek.
As the videos spread rapidly across social media, public opinion has been divided. Some viewers see Coppola’s actions as harmless and characteristic of his affectionate nature, while others believe he has overstepped professional boundaries. The affectionate gestures displayed in the footage have sparked debate over what is considered appropriate behavior on a film set.
Megalopolis is the latest work by the Oscar-winning director known for the Godfather trilogy. Lionsgate secured the domestic distribution rights for Megalopolis in June. The film stars Adam Driver in the lead role, alongside Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Jason Schwartzman, Laurence Fishburne, Kathryn Hunter, Grace VanderWaal, and Dustin Hoffman.
Lionsgate plans to release Megalopolis on September 27, 2024
