This summer brought us a trailer for Megalopolis, a passion project directed by Francis Ford Coppola, a film he’s been dreaming about for decades. Surprisingly, it kicks off with supposedly negative reviews of some of Coppola’s iconic films. Allegedly, Rex Reed once described Apocalypse Now as “an epic piece of trash,” and Pauline Kael, despite being a fan, supposedly said The Godfather suffered from excessive artistry. Movie buffs quickly sensed something amiss, discovering that these reviews were fake and had never been uttered by Reed or Kael. This trailer, filled with fabricated criticism, seems to have been crafted using artificial intelligence, as reported by Variety. Such controversy was the last thing Megalopolis needed after rumors of its tumultuous production circulated for months. Yet, Coppola, no stranger to cinematic challenges like the arduous filming of Apocalypse Now or the financial crash of his studio Zoetrope post One From the Heart, persevered. Completing Megalopolis is a testament to his resilience.
The Be Kind Rewind video above tells the fascinating journey behind Megalopolis, a narrative deeply entwined with Coppola’s dreams, disappointments, and highs and lows. When Coppola penned the first script draft in 1984, he couldn’t foresee the hurdles ahead, including numerous setbacks due to personal and professional crises and events like 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic. The final product, created with a $120 million budget raised through selling part of his winery, offers a spectacle exploring themes of civilization, modernity, and utopia. Even early reactions range from awe to disbelief.
The film, according to Matt Zoller-Seitz of Rogerebert.com, swings between grand political commentary and hints of comedy, intertwining philosophical musings and striking visuals delivered via Laurence Fishburne’s rich narration. It’s filled with symbolic imagery and scenes that invite interpretation rather than provide literal narratives. Zoller-Seitz argues, “Movies like this seem ‘indulgent’ because we’ve grown accustomed to cinematic experiences that cater directly to fan expectations, akin to customizing a Whopper to personal taste.” In its essence, Megalopolis is described in Be Kind Rewind as “the pinnacle of auteurism, an unbounded spectacle showcasing both Coppola’s finest and most extravagant impulses.” Personally, I’m eagerly anticipating this cinematic marvel.
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Based in Seoul, Colin Marshall, an urban and cultural writer, shares insights through projects like his Substack newsletter Books on Cities and the book The Stateless City: a Walk through 21st-Century Los Angeles. Connect with him on Twitter or Facebook.
