Mike Figgis’s ‘Megadoc’ offers a captivating, sometimes astonishing, peek behind the scenes of Francis Ford Coppola’s 2024 epic, ‘Megalopolis.’ While ‘Megalopolis’ itself faced its share of controversy and a lukewarm reception, earning only $14 million against a staggering $140 million budget, ‘Megadoc’ is an essential watch. It’s not just for dedicated Coppola fans, but for anyone curious about the immense logistical, financial, emotional, and philosophical undertaking required to fund and create a grand independent film, free from the usual pressures of mainstream Hollywood.
Figgis, a celebrated British director known for the intense 1995 film ‘Leaving Las Vegas’ starring Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue, shared a personal connection with Coppola through Cage, who is Coppola’s nephew. Their acquaintance led to a unique opportunity: as Coppola’s ambitious ‘Megalopolis’ finally moved into production, Figgis proposed being a ‘fly on the wall.’ Coppola consented, and soon Figgis found himself in Georgia, camera in hand, ready to document this intensely personal filmmaking journey.
The documentary includes fascinating behind-the-scenes footage, such as this clip offering a glimpse into the production process.
Early in ‘Megadoc,’ Figgis shares his genuine curiosity through voice-over, stating, ‘I’ve never actually seen another film director at work before.’ His fascination extends to how ‘someone can spend 120 million dollars of their own money on a film.’ The answer, as the film reveals, is with alarming ease.
Coppola’s journey to ‘Megalopolis’ was long and storied, marked by both extraordinary triumphs and devastating setbacks. Since he first publicly mentioned the project in the early 1980s, his career has seen him direct acclaimed films, including multiple Oscar-winning masterpieces. He even established his own studio, a venture that nearly led to his financial ruin and drew considerable criticism from the industry. Yet, Coppola persevered, continuing to create both successful and less successful works. He also built a considerable fortune in the wine business, eventually selling a portion of it in 2021.
In 2022, filming for ‘Megalopolis’ commenced. The narrative unfolds in a futuristic New York, reimagined through the lens of ancient Rome, following the architect Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver). Catilina’s vision for a better world is constantly challenged by his personal struggles and complex political machinations. Featuring a stellar cast of both rising stars like Aubrey Plaza and seasoned veterans such as Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Voight, and Giancarlo Esposito, the film presents a frequently beautiful, melancholic, and delightfully eccentric experience. It’s ultimately a utopian tale centered on art and unwavering vision, hinting at a deeply personal resonance for Coppola.
A still from the set shows actor Laurence Fishburne.
Despite Figgis’s initial intention to be a ‘fly on the wall’—a common descriptor for observational documentaries, though one famously disliked by filmmaker Frederick Wiseman—’Megadoc’ adopts a more hands-on style. Figgis, operating his own camera, plunges directly into the action: observing rehearsals, watching Coppola in directorial flow, and conducting interviews. Among those interviewed is Eleanor Coppola, who co-directed ‘Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse,’ the acclaimed 1991 documentary chronicling the tumultuous production of her husband’s 1979 masterpiece, ‘Apocalypse Now.’
While ‘Hearts of Darkness’ famously captured Francis Ford Coppola working shirtless, ‘Megadoc’ presents a more formal, though equally revealing, image. Figgis begins the documentary with Coppola in a white T-shirt, his white beard and receding hairline prominent in a medium close-up, as an off-camera Eleanor (who passed in 2024) asks, ‘How do you feel?’ Coppola candidly responds, ‘I think I must be a little afraid, it shows that I’m not just doing something that I know how to do.’ He then profoundly asks, ‘Who cares if you die broke if you made something that you think is beautiful?’
This powerful statement—plaintive, defiant, sincere, and inspiring—serves as Coppola’s artistic manifesto, encapsulating his career, his struggles, and his unwavering belief in a brighter tomorrow. It’s a poignant opening to a documentary that is both sweeping and deeply personal, consistently offering illuminating insights. Viewers will discover details about production budgets, logistical challenges, and even actors’ preparation techniques. Notably, the film captures the dramatic arc of Shia LaBeouf, whose reputation precedes him, as he moves from initial admiration to eventual doubt and resistance, adding compelling tension. While such dramatic elements are certainly engaging, it’s Figgis’s keen observation and clear empathy, combined with the monumental presence of Coppola, that truly leaves a lasting impact.
Megadoc
Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 47 minutes. In theaters.