Megalopolis ~ Time Stood Still
Megalopolis time stands still int this film. Francis Ford Coppola always discussed making time stand still. Laurence Fisher (Fundi Romaine) speaks on time, “Francis would say I could stop time. I can stop time. . . It’s so wonderful to see it, on the screen. The way it’s depicted in this great film that we saw last night. I am so proud of you.” Artist do control time Nathalie Emmanuel states, “Adam said, ‘you taught me, all artists control time.'” Francis states, “painters freeze it, dancers move in space with it. Gerta said ‘architecture is frozen in it.’”
Synopsis Megalopolis
Megalopolis is a Roman Epic set in an imagined Modern America. The City of New Rome must
change, causing conflict between Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver), a genius artist who seeks to leap into a
utopian, idealistic future, and his opposition, Mayor Franklyn Cicero, who remains committed
to a regressive status quo, perpetuating greed, special interests, and partisan warfare. Torn
between them is socialite Julia Cicero, the mayor’s daughter, whose love for Cesar has divided
her loyalties, forcing her to discover what she truly believes humanity deserves.
Francis Ford Coppola
Francis known for film such as Apocalypse Now, The Godfather (first 3 films), and many more. He is the recipient of 5 Academy Awards, 6 Golden Globe Awards, 2 Palmes d’Or, and a British Academy Film Award. Presents Megalopolis world premier at 77th Cannes Film Festival.
Francis started this film, Megalopolis 40-years ago. Francis states, “I want to do a Roman Epic but set in modern America. A lot of people said well why and I would say because America was founded on the ideas of the Roman Republic.”
This dream project screened at 77th Cannes Film Festival to a 10-min standing ovation. Francis stated about the ovation, “It was a beautiful feeling. . . It was joy and relief after abandoning the project and then realizing I shouldn’t abandon the film.”
Cannes Film Festival
Francis speech after the film premiere and standing ovation he dedicates this to his wife and family. Francis talks about “hope/speranza” during his speech. Giancarlo Esposito (Mayor Franklin) state regarding hope, “There was a sense of hope on set. . .It’s supposed to inspire us to a new way of thinking and in the end that inspiration is supposed to allow us to have hope for our world and believe me, I do because of you.”
Esposito read for this film 37-years ago. He states “Francis explained to me what my character represented and that is the old guard. . . And as I walked myself through the movie in my dreams last night. I realized the genius of what Francis does is, is allows me to be a channel and to channel what he’s shared with me. He allowed for us to be free and then gave us directive. . . I am not suppose to know the answers.”
The cast shared what it is like working on set with Francis. Talia Shire (Coppola’s sister) States, “He is creative courage. . . he is a visionary. . . When you’re with Francis you go forward.” Aubrey Plaza says, “For me it was a dream come true. . . Francis really likes actors. His method, my takeaway was that he like to inspire actors and he’s very playful, and he trusts the people that he’s cast.”
The end of the film discusses problem solving. Jon Vaight(Hamilton Crassus) states, “human beings are capable of solving every problem we get ourselves, into we can do it. That’s what the last moment of the film with Cesar beautifully saying it.”
Megalopolis Future
When asked about financing the film himself, Coppola states, “The money doesn’t matter. What’s important? Our friends. Because a friend will never let you down money may evaporate.” This film has mixed reviews. There is no American distributor for the film at this time. Recently IMAX will show this. film 20 U.S. cities in late September with or without a distributor.
This film my bring thought provoking ideas on time, utopia, and hope, if the film can find a distributor or streaming service to present the story in America.
Share your film insights here.
Connect With us here for your best lifestyle:
#4chionstyle
#4ChionEntertainment
Images from 77th Cannes Film Festival Press
