Francis Ford Coppola has hit back at allegations that he behaved inappropriately with a string of women on set.
He said the claims, which emerged in May, that he pulled women to sit on his lap and tried to kiss a string of topless or scantily clad female extras on set, are untrue.
The Apocalypse Now director, 85, was said to have exhibited the misbehaviour while filming a nightclub scene for his new sci-fi film Megalopolis, his latest film which was received with a 10-minute standing ovation in at last month’s Cannes Film Festival.
Of the allegations, which were published by The Guardian last month, he told the New York Times: “I’m not touchy-feely. I’m too shy.”
He also claimed his upbringing meant he could never be predatory: “My mother told me that if you make an advance toward a woman, it means you disrespect her, and the girls I had crushes on, I certainly didn’t disrespect them.”
Ford Copolla told the publication that “there was a photo of one of the ‘girls’ he kissed on the cheek (on the set of Megalopolis) that had been taken by her father” and that he added: “I knew her when she was nine.”
His executive co-producer Darren Demetre has come to his defence. He also told The Guardian in the same report about the allegations: “I was never aware of any complaints of harassment or ill behaviour during the course of the project.
“I have known and worked with Francis and his family for over 35 years.
“As one of the first assistant directors and an executive producer on his new epic, ‘Megalopolis’, I helped oversee and advise the production and ran the second unit.
“Francis successfully produced and directed an enormous independent film, making all the difficult decisions to ensure it was delivered on time and on budget, while remaining true to his creative vision.
“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.
“I was never aware of any complaints of harassment or ill behaviour during the course of the project.”
The report also alleged Coppola smoked cannabis on set, was “unpleasant”, gave poor guidance to his team, which left them frustrated and displayed “old school” behaviour throughout filming.
Megalopolis premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on 17 May. Its cast includes Adam Driver, 40, in its lead role of an idealistic architect trying to rebuild a city, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman.
