Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis gets a 10-minute standing ovation at Cannes

Francis Ford Coppola

Getty Images

Francis Ford Coppola’s long-running and much-discussed sci-fi epic Major cities It had its world premiere Thursday night at the Cannes Film Festival, and was greeted with a 10-minute standing ovation inside the Grand Theater Lumière, where he hugged each of its main stars — including Nathalie Emmanuel, Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza and Giancarlo Esposito — and tossed his hat into the cheering crowd.

Eventually, Coppola, who lost his wife, Eleanor, last month, interrupted the applause to take the microphone and introduce the family members who were with him, including his son, Roman Coppola, and his sister, Talia Shire, both of whom worked on the film. . Then he said of his other collaborators in the film: “They were like that everyone my family. In fact, as well [Driver’s character] Caesar says [in the film]”We are all one family.”

The director added: “The most important thing we have, and I think the most beautiful word in any language, is – Speranza – hope!” This is what I dedicate this film to. Hope and children. Make the world for children.”

The lead-up to the film’s reveal on Thursday has been epic. First, IMAX said it would give Major cities Global theatrical release, timing not yet determined. Then, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played as Coppola approached the mansion on his way to the premiere — a fitting song considering the director made his final film outside the Hollywood system, while retaining complete control. Applause followed inside the theater as Coppola’s arrival was shown on the big screen. Anticipation increased even more when the topic was from The Godfather It played – and people applauded – inside the cinema as Coppola appeared walking the red carpet with his cane. The driver then helped Coppola up the palace steps to greet festival president Thierry Frémaux. Finally, there was a standing ovation when Coppola entered the stage.

Among the prominent figures attending the screening was Richard Gere, who attended the festival with the film Oh, Canada He hugged Coppola before the movie started, too United Stars Mike Faist and Hans Zimmer.

Coppola, 85, had his last film in competition at Cannes 45 years ago. Apocalypse nowwhich won the Palme d’Or for the second time five years later Conversation He won.

Likes Apocalypse now, Major cities He came to the festival under a microscope: Coppola had been talking about the project for decades; He pumped a staggering $120 million of his own money into it; He had a heavy visual effects shoot in Atlanta THR The show was a mess in many ways.

Much depends on the film’s reception at Cannes, especially in the wake of a special screening held March 28 in Los Angeles, where potential buyers appeared skeptical about the film’s commercial prospects. Distribution rights for the film were sold in several European territories during the festival this week. But it has yet to find an American distributor.

No matter what happens, Coppola can say he did it his way. like Hollywood Reporter Leading film critic David Rooney opened his review of The movie “Personality in Major cities Played with pitch-perfect passion by Adam Driver, Cesar Catilina is a visionary genius bent on saving New York City by building a utopian future, displacing the ruling elite in the process. In many ways, Cesare’s mission, both noble and self-important, seems a direct reflection of Francis Ford Coppola’s dogged determination to make this film at any cost.