It’s a film made in the spirit of Francis Ford Coppola 40 years ago. This independent production cost him $120 million from his vineyard, the price of absolute freedom, far from Hollywood executives.
Francis Ford Coppola: We are filled with joy and relief to present “MEGALOPOLIS”. The combination of the two? It’s a crowning moment of happiness after having had an idea and having made it, to have put it aside and to say to ourselves that we have not abandoned it, which is not an emotion that we can describe in one word.
CI: Your film deals with sociology, politics, medicine, science fiction, the future and physics, which you believe can embody all of these ideas in today’s society , as in MEGALOPOLIS. Do you think particularly of the United States or do you think of a person who has all these ideas and this vision, as shown in the film?
Francis Ford Coppola
I’m going to venture out and present a little idea to you. I expressed my desire to do a horse racing history in America today as in Roman times, because the United States founded the idea of ancient Rome and did not want Rouen, like the Ancient Romans. If you remember, the big building they destroyed is crazy by the way.
The ancient history of Rome in America is interesting, but what is happening in our country, in our democracy, is exactly how the Romans lost their republic 2000 years ago. This is included in newspaper articles.
There are parallels between the United States and ancient Rome and we have reached a point where we can lose our republic. I don’t know if politicians can provide an answer, I’m not sure.
Artists have a role to play in illuminating contemporary life, through effort, but if you don’t consider the work of artists, it’s like consuming a hamburger with no nutritional value.
I hope that artists in our country highlight what is happening now and raise awareness, because we cannot follow any other path. A person once told me: “I choose projects that illuminate contemporary life.” I believe it is the responsibility of all artists.
