Francis Ford Coppola, a renowned cinematic visionary, has significantly shaped the landscape of filmmaking and instigated numerous changes within the industry during the 1970s. His stature as a respected and impactful figure in the world of cinema is undisputable. Not only is he known for his groundbreaking work, but he’s also not shy about taking risks – evident in his personal funding of his magnum opus, Megalopolis.
It’s not just Coppola who has personally funded his films. Jacques Tati, whom Coppola appreciates greatly, also followed suit. During a chat with Criterion, Coppola highlighted Tati as a filmmaker worthy of recognition, discussing why he holds him in such high regard and the film, specifically Playtime, that showcases Tati’s genius (as reported by Sensacine).
Jacques Tati was an exceptional filmmaker known for his unwavering dedication to his projects. He invested all his personal fortune into making a film, as the financial system at the time failed to support it. The outcome was disappointing, with the film, titled Playtime, becoming a major flop and leaving him virtually bankrupt. However, history has since recognized this masterpiece as one of the greatest films ever made, a fact that Tati did not live to witness. Uniquely among filmmakers, other than himself, Tati poured a significant portion of his lifetime earnings into creating a movie that no one else was willing to produce. Such bold endeavors often stand the test of time.
Playtime, a 1967 comedy, follows the story of Mr. Hulot who encounters a young American woman in Paris. Their lives intersect frequently as they both struggle to navigate a bustling city filled with modern technology. Despite the financially demanding nature of the production, Tati remained determined and eventually completed it, resorting to substantial loans and personal overdrafts to manage escalating costs.
By emulating Tati’s approach, Coppola too put his personal wealth on the line to bring to life an ambitious endeavor that was close to his heart. It’s noted that the filmmaker invested a staggering $120 million of his own funds for the creation of Megalopolis. The movie premiered in cinemas in 2024, earning a box office revenue of $14.3 million. Unfortunately, despite its release, the production received neither positive reviews from audiences nor critical acclaim.
Regarding Tati’s “Playtime”, it’s widely praised by both critics and audiences, yet it failed to be a box office hit upon its initial theater release, neither in France nor the U.S.
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2025-09-11 13:33