The Misguided Marketing of Megalopolis

The upcoming film Megalopolis has been generating quite the buzz in the cinematic world, but its marketing campaign has been anything but smooth sailing. Recently, it came to light that the American distributors of the film had resorted to fabricating quotes from revered critics, including the likes of Pauline Kael and Roger Ebert. This unorthodox approach was intended to emphasize the idea that ‘a true genius is often misunderstood,’ but ultimately, it only led to widespread criticism and a damaged reputation.

The ‘Misunderstood Genius’ Angle

In a peculiar move, the distributors of Megalopolis decided to take a negative approach by using quotes from critics who had initially panned Francis Ford Coppola’s previous works, including The Godfather and Apocalypse Now. These quotes, such as ‘A spectacular failure,’ ‘An epic piece of trash,’ and ‘A sloppy, self-indulgent movie,’ were attributed to legendary critics who had since passed away.

Cannes Film Festival

It was not until Bilge Ebiri, a respected critic from Vulture, noticed that none of the quotes could be found in the original reviews that the fabrication came to light. This sparked an immediate backlash, with Lionsgate owning up to the mistake and issuing a formal apology to the critics involved, Francis Ford Coppola, and American Zoetrope.

A Much-Needed Reality Check

In the aftermath of this incident, the trailer for Megalopolis has been pulled from YouTube and other social media channels. While this fiasco may have had a negative impact on the film’s reputation, it has inadvertently generated more buzz and interest in the project. With the movie’s Australian release set for September 26, only time will tell if the marketing misstep will affect its overall success.

The Making of a Masterpiece

Francis Ford Coppola has been working on Megalopolis for over four decades, and his passion project has been met with a mixture of excitement and skepticism. With a reported budget of $120 million, funded by Coppola’s own resources, including a portion of his lucrative wine business, expectations are running high. The film boasts an all-star cast, including Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, and Shia LaBeouf.

Megalopolis Film Stills

Rebuilding a Rotting Metropolis

At its core, Megalopolis tells the story of Cesar Catilina, an architect with the ability to control time, as he attempts to rebuild a Rome-like metropolis into a city of the future. The trailer, although marred by controversy, offers a glimpse into the film’s ambitious and visually stunning world. With statements like ‘Don’t let the now destroy the forever’ and ‘We’re in need of a great debate about the future,’ Cesar Catilina’s grandiose ambitions are put on full display.

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The real question now is whether the controversy surrounding the film’s marketing will affect its chances of success. While the trailer’s fabrication has certainly raised eyebrows, it has also brought much-needed attention to the film. Will the actual product live up to the hype, or will it succumb to the challenges of its commercial prospects? One thing is certain: Megalopolis has piqued the interest of many, and only time will tell if it will prove to be a masterpiece or a mess.