Francis Ford Coppola's Italian summer escapade culminated in a grand entrance at the prestigious Venice Film Festival. The legendary filmmaker touched down on the Lido Island on a Wednesday evening, stealing the spotlight during the opening night gala of the 82nd edition held within the grand Sala Grande. His mission: to bestow the prestigious Golden Lion award upon his esteemed friend and fellow director, Werner Herzog. Flanked by assistants as he graced the red carpet, Coppola was met with thunderous applause from a throng of eager festival photographers. Absorbing every moment, he later reciprocated the adoration with hearty cheers to his fans lined up along the barricades.
Coppola's Venice appearance came on the heels of a hospital stay in Rome, just a couple of weeks prior. On August 5, he confirmed that his visit was for a pre-planned procedure overseen by Dr. Andrea Natale, a renowned heart specialist who has been treating him for over three decades. Amid swirling health rumors that day, Coppola took to Instagram to reassure his nearly half-a-million followers: "Da Dada (as my kids fondly call me) is doing just fine. While in Rome, I seized the opportunity to undergo an updated version of my 30-year-old atrial fibrillation procedure with its pioneer, the remarkable Italian physician, Dr. Andrea Natale!"
Earlier this summer, Coppola had also spent time in Italy, scouting locations for a new venture. He shared with local media, "I'm here in Calabria to explore potential sites for a new project that holds immense significance for me – a film that will celebrate the breathtaking beauty of Calabria." While details about the project remain scarce, Coppola hinted that it would stray from the mafia-centric narrative of his iconic Godfather trilogy. "Calabria is indeed renowned for its mafia, but that does not captivate me. My film will solely focus on the mesmerizing aspects of this region."
Returning to Venice, it promises to be a landmark festival for the Coppola family. Not only was Coppola set to take the stage to honor Herzog, who is presenting his latest documentary, Ghost Elephants, out of competition, but the 86-year-old director will also shine on screen thanks to Mike Figgis' Megadoc. Featured in Venice Classics – a section dedicated to documentaries about cinema, Megadoc offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of Megalopolis, Coppola's long-gestating epic masterpiece. Megadoc premieres on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Coppola's daughter, Sofia Coppola, will unveil her documentary debut, Marc by Sofia, a film that delves into the creative world of fashion designer Marc Jacobs. In her official director's statement, Sofia shared, "I aspired to create a portrait of my 30-year-old friend, designer Marc Jacobs, showcasing his creative process and bridging his inspirations and references to future generations." Described as an "intimate and unconventional portrait," the film promises a unique insight into Jacobs' world. Sofia will also participate in a masterclass alongside costume designer Milena Canonero, presented by Cartier on August 29, the same day her documentary premieres.
