Coppola at the Venice Film Festival
Although Francis Ford Coppola does not have a film debuting this year at the Venice Film Festival, the 86-year-old Oscar-winning director is still participating in the 82nd event. His friend Mike Figgis’s documentary “Megadoc,” which chronicles the making of Coppola’s highly anticipated 2024 film “Megalopolis,” is being showcased out of competition. Additionally, during the festival’s opening ceremony, Coppola took the opportunity to celebrate his longtime colleague, German director Werner Herzog, who is receiving the honorary Golden Lion for lifetime achievement.
Herzog’s New Work
Herzog’s latest film “Ghost Elephants,” which focuses on a mysterious herd of elephants in Angola, is also set to premiere at Venice as part of the festival’s extensive documentary offerings, which include recent works from Laura Poitras and Sofia Coppola.
Celebrating Herzog
“It’s worth commemorating that someone like Herzog exists,” said Coppola, referring to the 82-year-old auteur known for both documentaries and fictional films that range from the Caves of Lascaux in “Cave of Forgotten Dreams” to the ambitious project “Fitzcarraldo,” which involved a steamboat being hauled up the Andes.
Coppola’s Praise for Herzog
Coppola reminisced, “His films burst onto my radar with ‘The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser,’ ‘Aguirre, the Wrath of God,’ and ‘Fitzcarraldo.’ Each film is distinct and outstanding. I even welcomed Herzog into my San Francisco home when he needed help finishing the script for ‘Fitzcarraldo.’”
Herzog’s Acknowledgments
During his speech, a visibly emotional Herzog expressed gratitude to Coppola, saying, “Francis has demonstrated incredible kindness and support over the past 50 years. I stayed with him when I couldn’t afford a hotel. Without him, I wouldn’t have been able to write my screenplay for ‘Fitzcarraldo’ or meet my wonderful wife, Lena.”
Herzog’s Vision
Herzog elaborated on his filmmaking philosophy, stating, “I’ve always aimed to explore deeper themes that transcend what’s typically presented in theaters, seeking truth through unconventional means. Cinema’s mystery is elusive, yet I strive for sublime and transcendent experiences.”
The Jury at Venice
Later in the ceremony, competition jury president Alexander Payne spoke after addressing media inquiries regarding the ongoing situation in Gaza. He expressed the jury’s honor in selecting from 21 films, which include works by renowned directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Yorgos Lanthimos. Payne encouraged his fellow jurors to approach each film with both professional insight and childlike wonder.
