Behavior described as old-school and unprofessional by some sources, inspired cast and crew by others
Coppola made announcements about kissing extras, disrupting takes and ruining shots
Coppola named recipient of Kennedy Center Honors despite allegations
Francis Ford Coppola accused of unwanted kissing on set of Megalopolis
Incidents occurred during nightclub scene filming in February 2023
Lionsgate acquires U.S distribution rights, sets up September 27 release date
Francis Ford Coppola, the renowned director of Megalopolis, has found himself under scrutiny following allegations of unprofessional behavior on set. Reports from Variety and The Guardian claim that Coppola kissed multiple female extras during a nightclub scene filming without their consent. The incidents were said to have occurred in February 2023.
According to sources, Coppola made announcements on set about kissing extras during the shoot. He was seen pulling women close and attempting to kiss them, disrupting takes and sometimes ruining shots. One source estimated that between 150 to 200 people were present during the scene filming.
Coppola's behavior has been described as old-school and unprofessional by some sources. The Guardian reported that he was known for making inappropriate comments and behaving in a way that made women uncomfortable on set. However, other sources have defended Coppola, stating that his actions were meant to inspire the cast and crew.
Despite these allegations, Coppola has been named a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors and is set to be feted at the annual ceremony in Washington D.C. on December 8.
The controversy surrounding Coppola's behavior on set comes as Megalopolis prepares for its release, with Lionsgate acquiring U.S distribution rights and setting up a September 27 release date.
Francis Ford Coppola kissed female extras on set during filming of Megalopolis
Coppola announced his actions were for his pleasure during filming
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article reports on allegations of inappropriate behavior by Francis Ford Coppola towards female extras on set. The author quotes multiple sources describing Coppola's behavior as unprofessional and disruptive. However, the article also includes statements from the film's executive producer and first assistant director defending Coppola's actions. These conflicting perspectives make it difficult to determine the full truth of the situation, which is a form of selective reporting. Additionally, there are emotional manipulation elements in the article as it portrays Coppola's behavior as disruptive and unprofessional, potentially eliciting negative emotions from readers.
Because Coppola funded it there was no HR department to keep things in check.
New sources have now come forward to call the director’s conduct unprofessional with him ‘leaping up to hug and kiss several women, often inadvertently inserting himself into the shot and ruining it.’
A crew member said to the Guardian earlier this year: ‘It was like watching a train wreck unfold day after day, week after week, and knowing that everybody there had tried their hardest to help the train wreck be avoided.’
Fallacies
(85%)
The author makes an appeal to authority when mentioning the statement of the film's executive producer, Darren Demetre. Additionally, there is a potential strawman fallacy in how the author describes Coppola's behavior as “old school” and comparing it to minimal interaction from other directors. Lastly, there is an example of a false dichotomy when the author states that Coppola either disrespected women he had crushes on or was too shy, implying that there are no other possibilities.
The Guardian had originally reported that the 85-year-old was seen as “old school” in his behaviour around women while shooting, pulling women to sit on his lap and kissing extras to get “them in the mood”.
After multiple takes, Coppola announced on a microphone: “Sorry, if I come up to you and kiss you. Just know it’s solely for my pleasure.”
The author states that Coppola either disrespected women he had crushes on or was too shy: “I’m not touchy-feely. I’m too shy.”
Bias
(80%)
The author uses language that depicts Coppola's behavior as extreme and unprofessional. He also quotes sources calling Coppola's conduct 'unprofessional' and 'inappropriate'.
a source said. ‘I’ve never seen anyone on set, and this extends to a camera operator, so much as touch an actor.’
'it’s solely for my pleasure.'
New sources have now come forward to call the director’s conduct unprofessional with him ‘leaping up to hug and kiss several women, often inadvertently inserting himself into the shot and ruining it.’
Coppola financed the entire $120 million budget himself, without any external studio or streamer involvement.
Videos have surfaced showing Coppola trying to kiss young female extras on set during a nightclub scene shooting.
Sources claim that Coppola’s behavior was unprofessional, with one source estimating that between 150 to 200 people were assembled on set during the nightclub scene.
Coppola has been named a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors and will be feted at the annual ceremony in Washington, D.C., on December 8.
Accuracy
Francis Ford Coppola kissed female extras on set during filming of Megalopolis
Coppola kept interrupting takes by hugging and kissing several women, often ruining shots.
Coppola announced his actions were solely for his pleasure.
Deception
(30%)
The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position about Coppola's behavior on set. The author does not disclose any sources for the claims made in The Guardian report and implies that there were no checks and balances in place due to Coppola financing the entire budget himself. This creates a sensationalized narrative without providing enough context or evidence.
The videos would appear to corroborate a bombshell report in the Guardian that claimed the 85-year-old director tried to kiss some of the topless and scantily clad female extras and told them ‘He was trying to get them in the mood.’
Two sources told Variety that Coppola appeared to act with impunity on set.
With two months to go before the release of ‘Megalopolis,’ things are about to get awkward.
Fallacies
(65%)
The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting two sources that claim Coppola acted unprofessionally and kissed female extras without consent. However, the author does not provide any evidence of these claims beyond the sources' statements. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of Coppola's behavior on set - he is described as both creating a 'professional environment' and acting in an unprofessional manner by kissing extras without consent. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the videos as 'bombshell reports' and Coppola's behavior as 'awkward.'
]Two sources told Variety that Coppola appeared to act with impunity on set.[
The scene in question, which features actress Nathalie Emmanuel, was shot on Feb. 14, 2023, at the Tabernacle, a concert hall in Atlanta. The call sheet says the actresses playing female party goers had been 'cleared for topless nudity' while others in the scene had been 'cleared for scantily clad.'
The sources claim that Coppola’s behavior was unprofessional.
One source who was on the set during the nightclub scene estimated that between 150 to 200 people were assembled, including background actors and crew as Coppola started directing the scene. The filmmaker kept leaping up to hug and kiss several women, often inadvertently inserting himself into the shot and ruining it.
Coppola got on a microphone and announced in earshot of everyone in the room, 'Sorry, if I come up to you and kiss you. Just know it’s solely for my pleasure.'
Bias
(0%)
The author, Brent Lang, reports on allegations of inappropriate behavior by Francis Ford Coppola towards female extras during the filming of 'Megalopolis'. The article includes quotes from sources that claim Coppola acted with impunity and kissed several women without their consent. The Guardian report mentioned in the article also claims that Coppola told the women he was trying to get them in the mood. These actions constitute sexual harassment and demonstrate a clear power imbalance between Coppola and the extras, making this an example of sexual bias.
Coppola kept leaping up to hug and kiss several women, often inadvertently inserting himself into the shot and ruining it, which the source said was unusual.
The Guardian story broke right before Megalopolis made its world premiere in Competition in Cannes.
Two sources told Variety that Coppola appeared to act with impunity on set.
Francis Ford Coppola is under controversy for allegedly kissing female extras on the set of his film ‘Megalopolis’ during a bacchanalian nightclub scene.
Coppola kept interrupting takes by hugging and kissing several women, often ruining shots.
Coppola announced on a microphone that his actions were solely for his pleasure.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The author, Jordan Ruimy, is making selective reports by only reporting details that support the previous allegations against Francis Ford Coppola. He is also using sensationalism by implying that Coppola's behavior was 'unprofessional' and 'dicey.' The author does not provide any new information or evidence beyond what was previously reported in The Guardian article.
Things are about to get a little dicey for Francis Ford Coppola... Now, Variety has decided to reignite the controversy by posting videos of Coppola trying to kiss female extras on the set of his ambitious sci-fi epic... Their source alleges that after multiple takes, Coppola got on a microphone and announced in earshot of everyone in the room, ‘Sorry, if I come up to you and kiss you. Just know it’s solely for my pleasure.’
Fallacies
(75%)
The author makes an appeal to the reader to 'You be the judge' which is a form of informal fallacy known as an appeal to emotion or audience. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing Coppola's behavior as 'unprofessional', 'dicey', and 'polarizing'. However, the author does not provide any evidence or reasoning beyond what was reported in previous articles.
]The sources claim that Coppola[apos]s behavior was unprofessional.[
You be the judge.
Bias
(75%)
The author, Jordan Ruimy, uses language that depicts Coppola's behavior as extreme and unprofessional. He also quotes sources who claim that Coppola's behavior was inappropriate and ruined shots during the filming of a nightclub scene.
Their source alleges that after multiple takes, Coppola got on a microphone and announced in earshot of everyone in the room, ‘Sorry, if I come up to you and kiss you. Just know it’s solely for my pleasure.’
Things are about to get a little dicey for Francis Ford Coppola... Now, Variety has decided to reignite the controversy by posting videos of Coppola trying to kiss female extras on the set of his ambitious sci-fi epic.
Francis Ford Coppola is the director of the movie ‘Megalopolis'
Newly-obtained footage shows Coppola seemingly trying to kiss multiple extras during a scene set in a nightclub
The videos were taken by a member of the film’s crew on Feb. 14, 2023
Coppola can be seen pulling women close to him and making announcements about kissing extras during the shoot
Accuracy
Francis Ford Coppola kissed multiple women during a scene set in a nightclub
Coppola pulled women close to him and made announcements about kissing extras during the shoot
Coppola's behavior was described as old school and unprofessional by sources
Deception
(30%)
The article reports on allegations of Francis Ford Coppola trying to kiss extras on set without disclosing the source of the allegations or providing any evidence other than second-hand accounts. This is an example of selective reporting and sensationalism.
The videos show Coppola seemingly mingling with dancers and extras during a shoot for a scene featuring actor Nathalie Emmanuel. The Godfather director can be seen pulling multiple women close to him in the footage.
> Two months after The Guardian published a report alleging Coppola tried to kiss extras on set and ‘apparently claimed he was ‘trying to get them in the mood’, Variety published two videos of the alleged incidents.
Fallacies
(80%)
The author reports on allegations made against Francis Ford Coppola regarding inappropriate behavior towards extras on set. The author quotes multiple sources, including 'Variety' and an anonymous source. However, the author also includes inflammatory rhetoric by stating that Coppola 'seemingly tried to kiss multiple extras during a scene that takes place in a night club'. This statement goes beyond reporting the facts and implies guilt on Coppola's part. Additionally, there is an appeal to authority when the author quotes Demetre and Comitini speaking positively about working with Coppola.
The videos show Coppola seemingly mingling with dancers and extras during a shoot for a scene featuring actor Nathalie Emmanuel. The Godfather director can be seen pulling multiple women close to him in the footage.
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.
I watched as Francis created a vibrant, professional, and positive environment on set.
As one of the industry's most well-respected master filmmakers, Francis was undaunted by the enormity of this undertaking, and he finished the film on time and on budget.
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