Giancarlo Esposito: Coppola 'Megalopolis' gamble a 'courageous example'

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Actors Giancarlo Esposito and Nathalie Emmanuel said writer-director Francis Ford Coppola's personal commitment to Megalopolis, in theaters Friday, was an inspiration for dedication to an artistic vision.

A dream project of Coppola's since the '80s, the filmmaker ultimately sold many of his vineyards to self-finance the film.

"It's a certain courageous example that I would love to be able to follow," Esposito told UPI in a recent Zoom interview. "It adds a certain commitment for me."

Esposito, 66, plays Cicero, the mayor of New Rome, who opposes Cesar Catalina's (Adam Driver) plan to build his Megalopolis from the unstable element Megalon.

The actor, who starred in Coppola's The Cotton Club and has done script readings for Coppola since, said Coppola never let on that he was under enormous pressure.

"He's not at all nervous," Esposito said. "He takes his time, he makes his film. So, I want to be as comfortable as Francis Ford Coppola in my skin as he is in his."

Emmanuel, 35, plays Cicero's daughter, Julia, who goes undercover with Cesar and ultimately falls for her father's rival.

Though their characters disagree about politics in New Rome, Emmanuel agreed with Esposito about Coppola.

"I also think it's very inspiring to bank on yourself," Emmanuel said. "I think there's a little lesson in there."

Artistically, Emmanuel said she also felt the weight of the years over which Coppola developed Megalopolis.

In her performance, Emmanuel said, she focused on "fulfilling that artist's heart and vision and just wanting to help do that. You just had to show up and do your best every single day."

Earlier this year, Coppola held a private screening for industry, friends and family. The film then played in the Cannes and Toronto film festivals.

Esposito said he was even privy to critical articles during the making of the film. However, he felt Coppola's commitment trumped any doubts from outsiders.

"If you believe in yourself and you believe in your vision, you want to follow that person," Esposito said. "They're ultimately empowering you and empowering themselves to make what they believe in."

Like Coppola, Esposito said he thinks Mayor Cicero is a man of belief and commitment. Throughout the film, Cicero argues with Cesar about how to inspire citizens to believe in their city.

"[Cicero]'s come up in a certain way and he's holding on to what works," Esposito said. "I think to let go of that would shake him to the core."

Younger and more impressionable than her father, Julia is open to the possibilities of Cesar's new philosophies, Emmanuel said.

"It's in direct conflict with everything her father's ever taught her," Emmanuel said. "So it's inviting the conflict immediately."

As Megalopolis finally is released in theaters decades after Coppola had the idea, no matter what the ultimate reception at the box office or with critics, Esposito says the filmmaker has already won.

"He did it," he said. "And he has no ego about it. He just would love for you to see this story and feel it."