Famous director Francis Ford Coppola praises the cast of his new film megalopolis At a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival on Friday, he defended his casting decisions, including Oscar winner Jon Voight, an ardent supporter of President Trump.
“One of the things about our amazing cast is that they represent all kinds of political ideas,” Coppola said.
He also thanked Voight for encouraging him to make the film in its early stages, while also acknowledging that the two occupy different political worlds.
Made over decades, megalopolis The film’s world premiere in Cannes on Thursday drew sharply divided reactions to its depiction of a future New York in the midst of Roman Empire-like decadence.
new york times has taken a particularly hostile approach to the film, with reporters deriding it as a “colossal failure”.
Adam Driver leads the ensemble cast, which also includes Jon Voight, Shia LaBeouf, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, and Giancarlo Esposito.
During the press conference, 85-year-old Francis Ford Coppola was asked about his views on the future of politics, especially former President Donald Trump.
See below:
in #Megalopolis Francis Ford Coppola said at a press conference that “there is a trend toward the New Right and even toward the fascist tradition.”
He gestured to Jon Voight and said, “Jon, you have different political views.”
Voight replies, “How did you know that?” pic.twitter.com/1xHUomEdT5
— Variety (@Variety) May 17, 2024
After Francis Ford Coppola said, #Megalopolis star Jon Voight has “different political views” and asked how he could make the world a better place.
“We especially have to thank those who have volunteered to show us the way,” Voight said. https://t.co/ELRJBhX7Uo pic.twitter.com/dUlTIUGKx5
— Variety (@Variety) May 17, 2024
“People like Donald Trump are not in charge at the moment, but that’s the trend that’s happening in the world,” he said. “There is a trend towards more New Right, even fascist traditions, and that is scary. Anyone who was alive during World War II saw the horrors that took place there, and we I don’t want repetition. Again, I think it’s the role of film artists to shine a light on what’s going on in the world.”
But Coppola then deferred to Jon Voight, who was also in attendance.
“John, you have different political views than I do,” the filmmaker said, before adding, “One thing I can say about our wonderful cast is that they reflect all sorts of political ideas.” It’s not just a concept.”
Voight said jokingly. “How did you know that?”
The actor said he doesn’t want to get political and agrees with Coppola’s vision for the film.
“I agree with this film, with Francis’ vision that humans are capable of solving every problem we encounter. We can do it. That’s what Adam says so beautifully in the final moments of this film. We can do it.” We have to come together, help each other, listen to each other and take this on to create a better world,” he said.
Coppola later acknowledged Voight’s contribution to the film’s early stages, but also acknowledged their differences.
Director Coppola said, “He was one of the first actors who said we had to make this,” adding, “Politically we’re not in the same world. So there’s a lot of different opinions here.” There is no doubt that there is.”
Francis Ford Coppola says he and Jon Voight are “not in the same world” politically.
“Certainly there are a variety of opinions here,” he continued. https://t.co/ELRJBhX7Uo pic.twitter.com/ea5QxUjZfL
— Variety (@Variety) May 17, 2024
Voight has been an avid supporter of Trump since the 2016 presidential election.
of midnight cowboy Star recently endorsed Trump’s re-election bid, saying the former president “will defeat the savage beasts that are destroying our country.”
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