In a new interview with The Telegraph of London, director Francis Ford Coppola is characteristically candid about the ups and downs of his triumphs and disappointments. Back behind the camera for the first time in ten years, Coppola is fulfilling his initial dream of making small, personal movies inspired by the European cinema that influenced him as a young man. His new movie Youth Without Youth seems to have reawakened the artiste in Coppola in that is is clearly an art house film that stands virtually no chance of being a major box-office hit. Coppola discusses his memories of making The Godfather saying, "What stands out in my mind about that movie is that I
survived it...I was so in
trouble and I was so miserable. I felt alone in my idea for the
film. I was shocked that it was so successful." He also says he stays in touch with peers George Lucas and Steven Spielberg and dines with them occasionally. He opines, "It's like three
kids with the enthusiasm of how wonderful and magical cinema is; how
you can never learn enough and how every time you make a film you
learn more. I am struck with the childlike enthusiasm we all have
when we discuss the possibilities of what can be done with film." Coppola laments the fact that he has a revered reputation in Hollywood, but still can't find any financing for the films he wants to do. His next project with Matt Damon will be self-financed and modestly budgeted. For the interview click here