Hot off the heels of one of the most talked-about premieres in recent Cannes memory, Francis Ford Coppola and his “Megalopolis” cast took part in the traditional press conference. It was one filled with “joy and relief.”
When asked about spending $120 million on such a risk-taking project, Coppola admitted having no regrets and that it was all worth it just to finally realize his long gestating dream project:
“I put the risk in the movie. I have no problems with the financials. My children, without exceptions, have wonderful careers without a fortune. They don't need a fortune.” He went on, “It’s how I felt the film should be, and I was paying for it…. There are so many people who, when they die, say ‘I wish I had done that.’ When I die, I'll say, ‘I got to do that.’”
Coppola added being not surprised that a studio has yet to pick up “Megalopolis” as the industry is a very different one today than it was a few decades ago. He called out the greed of studio execs and how they don’t make many good movies anymore:
“The studios are in great great debt and their job is not so much to make good movies as to pay their debt obligations”
We should also scratch off any plans of retirement for Coppola. According to him, at 85-years-old, he’s just getting started. Last month, I reported that he was working on a new film which will be an adaptation of Edith Wharton’s “The Glimpses of the Moon” and “inspired” by Leo McCarey’s “The Awful Truth.” He briefly tackled this topic at the presser:
“I can assure you; I plan to still be here in 20 years. I’ve already started writing a new film.”
Meanwhile, people here are still talking about “Megalopolis.” Wild theories and opinions keep circulating on the Croisette about the film. These conversations, discussions, dissections, will no doubt continue beyond Cannes as the film will, no doubt, eventually, get released in the U.S. Here’s hoping for a brave studio to pick this one up soon.
Criterion's December lineup has some great additions to the library, but the title that jumped out at me is Werner Herzog's "Grizzly Man," which officially joins the Collection on December 8.