An extra who was seen on video being kissed by Francis Ford Coppola has recalled being 'in shock' on set.
Coppola's latest flick, Megalopolis, is set to release in cinemas next month - but its marketing campaign has been plagued with controversy.
Footage of the director kissing extras on the set of the new movie surfaced last week, months after Coppola was accused of inappropriate behaviour on set.
Variety recently published two clips apparently taken by crew members showing the legendary director hugging and kissing female extras as filming took place.
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"Sorry, if I come up to you and kiss you. Just know it’s solely for my pleasure," Coppola reportedly said over the microphone, as per the Variety source.
Rayna Menz, who appeared in the video, denied Coppola had behaved inappropriately during the filming of Megalopolis.
She told Deadline earlier this week: "He did nothing to make me or for that matter anyone on set feel uncomfortable.
"I felt disgusted, I was blindsided by it because it was a closed set. That someone had video of that is just ridiculous and super unprofessional. It’s gross because he only ever spoke about how wonderful his wife is.
"His wife was on set with us, most days. It feels gross, seeing that video and the way they were trying to convey a message. Just gross."
The extra continued: "He was nothing but professional, a gentleman, he was like this cute Italian grandfather, running around the set,” she added. “It was just so much fun. He’s a nice generous person."
However, Lauren Pagone, who also featured in the clips, has differing views.
Recalling the moment Coppola 'kissed her', Pagone told Variety: "I was in shock. I didn’t expect him to kiss and hug me like that. I was caught off guard. And I can tell you he came around a couple times."
After reading comments made by Menz, Pagone wanted to detail her version of events.
"I don’t appreciate anybody speaking for me. I would never speak for that actress,” she added.
"I’ve kept my mouth shut. I’ve kept quiet. But it’s frustrating that she’s putting out there, ‘Hey, it was great for everyone’ when she doesn’t know what other people were feeling. You can’t speak for anyone but yourself. My experience was different."
After a report by the Guardian earlier this year detailed 'chaotic behavior' on set, Coppola told the New York Times: "I’m not touchy-feely. I’m too shy.”
“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."
UNILAD has reached out to Coppola's representatives for comment.
Topics: Film and TV
Callum Jones