New documentary captures the chaos behind critically panned epic 'Megalopolis'

“Megadoc,” a new documentary being released this weekend, offers audiences a window into the sometimes chaotic set of Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis.”

When Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis” opened in theaters last September, the dystopian epic baffled audiences and earned the filmmaker a Razzie Award for worst director.

Now, “Megadoc,” a new documentary being released this weekend, offers audiences a window into the unorthodox and sometimes chaotic set of Coppola’s more than $120 million passion project.

“Megalopolis,” which is set in a futuristic city inspired by ancient Rome, stars Adam Driver as an ambitious architect, Aubrey Plaza as a ruthless journalist, LaBeouf as Driver’s corrupt cousin, plus Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Voight and Giancarlo Esposito in other key roles.

Coppola, who is behind “The Godfather” and other classics, first conceived of the idea for the film in 1977. He tried to raise financing for the movie for decades before finally deciding to put up his own money from the family wine business. But the movie disappointed audiences after its release and ended up grossing just $14 million domestically. Some critics went so far as calling it “a work of absolute madness,” and it ended up being deemed one of the more “divisive” films of the year.

With “Megadoc,” British director Mike Figgis wanted to give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at Coppola’s creative process, hoping that audiences who watch the documentary will better understand and appreciate “Megalopolis.”