Hollywood director admits to kissing women on set of controversial 2024 film – but denies inappropriate behaviour-Brooke Ivey Johnson-Entertainment – Metro

Francis Ford Coppola has denied allegations that he was inappropriate with women on the set of his new film (Picture: Getty Images)

Iconic director Francis Ford Coppola has admitted to kissing women on the set of Megalopolis, though he continues to deny allegations that his behaviour was unprofessional or inappropriate.  

During the filming of a nightclub scene, Coppola, 85, was accused of pulling women into his lap and trying to kiss multiple extras.

Many women weren’t wearing tops or very little clothing at the time due to the sleazy nightclub setting. 

The Guardian reported that when it happened, Coppola said he was ‘trying to get them in the mood.’

The $120million film – which Coppola personally funded by selling a portion of his winery and has been writing since the 80s – has been heavily panned as incomprehensible and bizarre following its premiere at Cannes earlier this year, with some calling it ‘the worst film I’ve ever seen.’

Now, Coppola has spoken out on the allegations, describing the original report in The Guardian as ‘totally untrue.’

The film has largely been panned by critics (Picture: Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Coppola has denied that his behaviour was inappropriate (Picture: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

He continued: ‘The truth of the matter is, they were looking for some sort of dirt,’ Coppola told Rolling Stone magazine.

‘The young women I kissed on the cheek, in regards to the New Year’s scene, they were young women I knew…

‘It’s all so ridiculous. Look at the timing of that article. It’s right before we’re about to premiere the film at Cannes. They’re just trying to damage the picture.’

He also defended Megalopolis in a roundabout way, claiming that the allegations only arose because he doesn’t ‘follow the rules’ set by Hollywood, something the institution finds threatening. 

Variety also publicised a video where Coppola appears to be kissing female extras on set.

The director reportedly kissed women on set during the filming of a nightclub scene (Picture: Zhivko Mironov)

The film takes place in a dream-like, surreal version of the Roman Empire (Picture: Zhivko Mironov)

The stars of the film include Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Shia LeBouf (Picture: Zhivko Mironov)

He continued by claiming that people who follow the rules have a better chance at success, according to Hollywood, and that in trying to create something brand new he broke those rules and angered people. 

He said: ‘Well, what about Francis? He doesn’t follow your rules. “Well, look, what’s going to happen to him, he’s going to have a failure.”’

He went on to say that he’s trying to ‘do something different’ and that ‘film is change,’ before claiming that the movies the future generations of film makers create will be very different than the current cinematic trends. 

Coppola’s Megalopolis executive co-producer Darren Demetre has defended the director’s behaviour, telling The Guardian: ‘I was never aware of any complaints of harassment or ill behaviour during the course of the project.’

He went on to detail how he’s worked with Coppola and his family for nearly 40 years, praising the director for remaining true to his ‘creative vision’ while still keeping the film on track and in budget. 

The director said people are trying to damage the film with the allegations (Picture: Michael Ochs Archives)

Demetre then describes the incident in which Coppola allegedly behaved inappropriately, saying: ‘There were two days when we shot a celebratory Studio 54-esque club scene where Francis walked around the set to establish the spirit of the scene by giving kind hugs and kisses on the cheek to the cast and background players.

‘It was his way to help inspire and establish the club atmosphere, which was so important to the film.’

Megalopolis is set to hit cinemas on September 27.

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