Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ Received Boos and Applause In Mixed Reaction at Cannes Premiere

In a tumultuous week leading up to the premiere of his self-funded epic Megalopolis, Francis Ford Coppola has faced numerous stories about his on-set behavior. Reports include him trying to kiss extras to “get them in the mood,” spending hours smoking marijuana in his trailer, and accusations of utter chaos on set.

To compound these issues, journalists at the premiere of Megalopolis reported that the audience initially booed after the film ended. However, the boos quickly turned to cheers when an “In Memoriam” segment for Coppola’s late wife, Eleanor, was shown. The director and cast then received a seven-minute standing ovation.

Early reviews from Cannes are also mixed. The Daily Mail’s Brian Viner called it a “Mega-flopolis” and gave it a one-star rating, while others described it as a “car crash.” However, not all feedback was negative; British GQ praised the film, stating, “Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis is utterly groundbreaking, whether the critics like it or not.”

All of this seems to confirm the initial challenges the film faced in securing a distributor. Coppola hosted a screening for several potential buyers, including Netflix, Universal, and Sony. However, the screening generated minimal interest, and after a month, the film finally secured a French distributor.

According to a source who attended the distributor screening and who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter, suggested the film will face significant challenges, with one studio commenting, “It’s so not good, and it was so sad watching it. Anybody who puts P&A [prints and advertising] behind it, you’re going to lose money.”

Coppola embarked on the film’s journey in 1983 and reportedly self-financed the $120 million project by selling a part of his wine empire.

What is ‘Megalopolis’ About?

Megalopolis unfolds in an alternate modern America, where the city of New Rome stands at a crucial crossroads in history. It’s a city torn between two visions: Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver), dreaming of a utopian future, and the current mayor, Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito) who staunchly clings to the status quo.

Caught in the tug-of-war between these opposing forces is Julia Cicero (played by Nathalie Emmanuel), the mayor’s socialite daughter. Her perspective undergoes a transformation through her love for Cesar, forcing her to confront her own beliefs and determine what she truly believes is best for humanity.

The official synopsis reads: “Megalopolis is a Roman Epic fable set in an imagined Modern America. The City of New Rome must change, causing conflict between Cesar Catilina, a genius artist who seeks to leap into a utopian, idealistic future, and his opposition, Mayor Franklyn Cicero, who remains committed to a regressive status quo, perpetuating greed, special interests, and partisan warfare. Torn between them is socialite Julia Cicero, the mayor’s daughter, whose love for Cesar has divided her loyalties, forcing her to discover what she truly believes humanity deserves.”

There are still no updates on the theatrical release date for Megalopolis. We’ll keep you posted as soon as we have more information.

Watch the teaser trailer for ‘Megalopolis’

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