Francis Ford Coppola to be honored by AFI

The acclaimed director, who recently released his long-in-development epic Megalopolis, will be presented the award at a grand tribute ceremony at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on April 26. The 85-year-old filmmaker will be the 50th recipient. This award was first given to John Ford in 1973.

Producer Kathleen Kennedy, president of AFI, said, “Francis Ford Coppola is a unique artist – one who has created seminal work in the canon of American film, and has also inspired generations of filmmakers who now embrace his artistry and his independent spirit. Are.” Board of Trustees.

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Coppola released Megalopolis, a Roman epic based in modern New York, in September. The film, which first premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, received mixed reviews from critics and flopped with audiences. However, Coppola has stated that he was forced to make Megalopolis as an artist, not a businessman. He self-financed the film.

“Everyone is very worried about money. I say: Give me less money and give me more friends,'” Coppola told The Associated Press. in an earlier interview“Friends are valuable. Money is very delicate. In Germany at the end of World War II you could have a million marks and not even be able to buy a loaf of bread.” Megalopolis had a star-studded cast including Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Giancarlo Esposito, Shia LaBeouf, Aubrey Plaza, Laurence Fishburne, Talia Shire, and Jason Schwartzman.

Last year’s AFI honoree was Australian actor Nicole Kidman. Some other recent recipients include John Williams, Mel Brooks, Denzel Washington and Julie Andrews.

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