Francis Ford Coppola, the director, has been accused of inappropriate behaviour after footage emerged appearing to show him trying to kiss extras on the set of his latest film.
Two sources told Variety magazine that Coppola appeared to act with impunity on the set of his upcoming film Megalopolis.
The clips, recorded by a crew member last year show the filming of a busy nightclub scene and Coppola shuffling through a group of female extras playing the role of partygoers.
At certain points, he appears to try to kiss them, with one seeming to attempt to repel his advances.
In May, the Guardian cited witnesses who said that Coppola was trying to kiss some of the extras in the scene and that he had justified his actions as “trying to get them in the mood”.
A spokesman for Coppola declined to comment on the videos or the claims about the director’s behaviour when asked by Variety. The Telegraph has also reached out for comment.
Coppola is one of the world’s most critically acclaimed directors, having helmed films including Apocalypse Now and The Godfather.
But the new allegations appear to threaten his reputation.
Spoiled shots
The sources said that during the nightclub scene he kept leaping up to hug and kiss several women, accidentally putting himself in the shot and spoiling it.
“I’ve worked with really important directors and that behaviour is uncommon – the most I’ve ever seen any director do is say something like, ‘high energy, guys,’” one of the sources said. “I’ve never seen anyone on set – and this extends to a camera operator – so much as touch an actor.”
The source added that Coppola got on a microphone and said, “Sorry, if I come up to you and kiss you. Just know it’s solely for my pleasure.”
Sources claim that Coppola felt emboldened to act inappropriately because he had financed the entire $120 million film and had not used an outside studio with its own HR department “to keep things in check”,
Mariela Comitini, the film’s first assistant director, did not address the allegations in a statement to Variety but said Coppola created a “vibrant, professional, and positive environment on set”, adding that it was “an honour” to work with him.