Megalopolis

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Approximately a year after Francis Ford Coppola’s self-financed and divisive grand production “Megalopolis” stirred chaos at Cannes, information about an under-the-radar documentary chronicling its making has surfaced concurrently with a U.S. distributor.

EbMaster discloses that Utopia has obtained North American distribution rights for “Megadoc,” an in-depth documentary feature film by Academy Award-nominated director Mike Figgis (“Leaving Las Vegas”), which offers a glimpse into the production process of Coppola’s long-anticipated, intensely personal, and contentious masterpiece. Last year, Utopia collaborated with American Zoetrope and Lionsgate to release “Megalopolis” in the United States, and they intend to distribute “Megadoc” in cinemas this fall.

The documentary was produced by Tara Li-An and James Mockoski.

According to the account, ‘Megadoc’ originated unexpectedly, stemming from an email exchange between two long-time companions. This correspondence led Coppola extending an invitation to Figgis to visit the ‘Megalopolis’ set prior to the commencement of the main filming, and allowing him to record whatever he chose. Equipped with a compact camera team throughout the entire production, Figgis’s unlimited access to the filmmaking granted us ‘Megadoc,’ offering a rare perspective into the creative journey of one of cinema’s most esteemed directors and peeking behind the scenes of his most daring project in progress.

According to Coppola, Mike Figgis filmed the production of ‘Megalopolis’ as he experienced it. Remarkably, there are multiple perspectives about what truly unfolded, and it’s all captured in the documentary; however, the documentary doesn’t always clarify which events are factual… it leaves room for viewers to observe and make their own interpretations.

EbMaster recognizes that “Megadoc” doesn’t just aim to polish up “Megalopolis” and Coppola’s image, but also delves into both the positive and negative aspects of it. However, it remains unclear how far this scrutiny might go, and whether it would cover issues such as the on-set misconduct accusations against Coppola, the trailer controversy over using false quotes, or the harsh criticism the film has faced.

As a passionate film buff, I was granted unparalleled access to Francis’s extensive collection of script readings, each evolution meticulously documented. With this freedom to roam at will, I found myself immersed in an extraordinary chapter of cinematic history.” Additionally, the cast graciously shared their insights into the unique working environment and Francis’s distinctive methods. Truly, it was a humbling experience to bear witness to such a significant moment in filmmaking.

As a film enthusiast penning my thoughts post-screening, I found myself privy to an intriguing piece of Hollywood news – the “Megadoc” deal was hammered out between Utopia and Red Mullet Productions, the indie empire of Figgis. Robert Schwartzman, a key figure at Utopia, made it official with a statement that sent ripples through Tinseltown.

Eleanor Coppola’s renowned documentary ‘Hearts of Darkness’ offered viewers a unique and unparalleled insight into the production of ‘Apocalypse Now,’ a movie that eventually earned its place among the most exceptional cinematic journeys of its time and beyond, as stated by Robert Schwartzman from Utopia. Similarly, Mike Figgis’s upcoming documentary ‘Megadoc’ is expected to provide a similar experience for ‘Megalopolis,’ offering audiences a behind-the-scenes perspective on the creation of this film over a 40-year period, allowing us to witness one of the greatest filmmakers at work.

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2025-05-12 18:29