Francis Ford Coppola's long-awaited project "Megalopolis" is scheduled to premiere in competition at the Cannes Film Festival. The film, set to debut on May 17 in a gala slot, features a notable ensemble cast including Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Shia LaBeouf, Talia Shire, Jason Schwartzman, Chloe Fineman, Kathryn Hunter, Dustin Hoffman, D.B. Sweeney, Baily Ives, Grace VanderWaal, and James Remar.
Coppola, who penned the screenplay in the 1980s, has invested over $100 million of his own funds into the project to bring it to fruition. Thierry Fremaux, director of the Cannes Film Festival, expressed his admiration for Coppola's independent approach to filmmaking and his desire to showcase "Megalopolis" at the festival, citing Coppola's previous contributions to Cannes with "Apocalypse Now Redux" in 1995.
The film, which completed production last year, was screened for industry insiders at the Universal CityWalk IMAX Theater in L.A. on March 28. While specific plot details remain sparse, the official logline describes it as an epic tale set in an alternate reality version of New York City, dubbed "New Rome," exploring themes of political ambition, genius, and conflicted love against the backdrop of societal challenges.
Coppola has drawn inspiration from Ancient Rome, particularly its political dynamics, in crafting the narrative of "Megalopolis." He views the struggles within the Roman Republic as emblematic of larger themes relevant to contemporary society, reflecting on the erosion of institutions and the rise of individual ambition.
The complete lineup for the Cannes Film Festival, including "Megalopolis" and other major titles such as George Miller's "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" and Quentin Dupieux's "The Second Act," is set to be unveiled later this week.
Photo: Dick Thomas Johnson
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