Francis Ford Coppola returned to the Cannes Film Festival, half a century after winning the Palme d’Or, for the premiere of his epic new film “Megalopolis,” which he financed himself. He was accompanied by some family members, including his granddaughter Romy, his sister Talia Shire, his son Roman and his nephew Robert Schwartzman. The filmmaker recently lost Eleanor, his wife of sixty years.
Adam Driver and Giancarlo Esposito lead a star-studded cast including Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Chloe Fineman and Nathalie Emmanuel.
Described as an epic Roman fable, “Megalopolis” is set in an imagined modern America, as Cesar Catilina and his opponent, Mayor Franklyn Cicero, clash over the future of their city of New Rome. Between the two, the mayor’s daughter, Julia Cicero, who loves Cesar.
“Megalopolis,” which Coppola began designing in the early 1980s, reportedly cost $120 million to make. Coppola invested his money with the help of his wine empire to make this passion project a reality.
This is the fourth time that the director has presented a film in competition at Cannes.
The 85-year-old filmmaker won the Palme d’Or in 1974 with “The Conversation”. His film “Apocalypse Now” also won in 1979sharing it that year with “Le Tambour” by Volker Schlöndorff.
“Megalopolis” is one of 22 films competing for the Palme d’Or this year. The winner will be chosen by a jury chaired by Greta Gerwig.