Francis Ford Coppola’s arduous, self-funded sci-fi epic Megalopolis has won no less than two categories at the 2024 Razzie Awards, for worst director (Coppola) and worst supporting actor (Jon Voight). The film was nominated for four more, including worst picture, worst screenplay, and worst screen combo – for its entire cast. But you know what? Francis Ford Coppola doesn’t care. In fact, he’s glad.

“I am thrilled to accept the Razzie award in so many important categories for [Megalopolis],” he writes in a recent Instagram post. “And for the distinctive honour of being nominated as the worst director, worst screenplay, and worst picture at a time when so few have the courage to go against the prevailing trends of contemporary moviemaking!” 

“In this wreck of a world today, where ART is given scores as if it were professional wrestling, I chose to NOT follow the gutless rules laid down by an industry so terrified of risk that despite the enormous pool of young talent at its disposal, may not create pictures that will be relevant and alive 50 years from now.”

Of course, the legendary filmmaker doesn’t need to pay any attention to the Razzies – the man has five Academy Awards! But he has, and just like that he’s turned the industry’s scorn into one of the most iconic and incisive moments of this award season. And he’s right, of course. Not only do young, interesting filmmakers find it increasingly difficult to break into the industry (only to get snubbed at the Oscars) but certified masters like Coppola have to fund their own films, thanks to massive media corporations’ narrow vision of what viewers want to watch. We could have had one last film from David Lynch, if Netflix hadn’t turned it down – never forget what they took from you!

Just like The Godfather, Coppola’s statement continues with yet another masterpiece. “What an honour to stand alongside a great and courageous filmmaker like Jacques Tati who impoverished himself completely to make one of cinema’s most beloved failures, Playtime!,” he writes. “My sincere thanks to all my brilliant colleagues who joined me to make our work of art, Megalopolis, and let us remind ourselves us that box-office is only about money, and like war, stupidity and politics has no true place in our future.”

Congratulations to Francis Ford Coppola, from the whole Dazed team 👑