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Key Points

Sofia Coppola openly dislikes excessive violence in modern films, citing real-world gun violence as a reason. She appreciates classic cowboy movies and Scorsese’s narrative-driven approach to violence. Coppola also revisited her journey directing The Virgin Suicides, contrasting her vision with an initially darker adaptation. The acclaimed filmmaker also touched on her early creative influences in fashion and photography.

Key Points: Sofia Coppola Critiques Modern Violent Films Praises Old Westerns

  • Coppola finds modern violent films upsetting due to US gun violence
  • She prefers classic Westerns and Scorsese’s purposeful violence
  • Recalls reshaping The Virgin Suicides away from a darker male vision
  • Reflects on early influences in fashion and photography
2 min read

Director Sofia Coppola doesn't like violent films, praises old cowboy movies

Lost in Translation director Sofia Coppola shares her aversion to excessive violence in films while praising classic cowboy movies and Scorsese’s storytelling.

"There’s so much gun violence in my country. It’s really hard to see those movies. – Sofia Coppola"

Washington DC, June 26

In an era of action cinema, the 'Lost in Translation' director, Sofia Coppola, says that she doesn't prefer watching "overdone" violent films as it is quite "upsetting" for her, reported Variety.

While speaking at a masterclass at the Biarritz' Nouvelles Vagues Festival, as quoted by Variety, Coppola explained her lack of affinity for the action cinema. She said that watching violence in cinema "upsets" her due to the gun violence in the US, her birthplace.

"There's so much gun violence in my country. It's really hard to see [those] movies. Old cowboys are cool, but just the way [violence] is overdone now is upsetting," said Sofia as quoted by Variety.

Coppola, who flew from New York to be the guest of honor at the third edition of Nouvelles Vagues Festival in the picturesque south-western town of Biarritz, cited Martin Scorsese as a filmmaker whose movies have violence that serves a narrative purpose, reported Variety.

"I love Scorsese, so there are moments for it," she said, adding that "violent themes can be interesting or insinuating. But really, gory, not so much for me," as quoted by Variety.

At the masterclass, the director also reminded us about her childhood, her early passion for fashion, photography and the making of 'The Virgin Suicides'.

She said a male director was initially developing the adaptation of Jeffrey Eugenides's novel "The Virgin Suicides" before she came on board and had a much different take on the book, reported Variety.

"When I read the book, I loved it, and I heard that a guy was going to make it. He was going to make it very dark and sexual. I was like, 'That's not how I see it. I hope they don't make it like that," said Sofia Coppola as quoted by Variety.

The director shared that she started adapting a few chapters to "learn how you adapt a book into a screenplay," and later on, when she felt confident enough, she asked the producers to consider her script "if it didn't work out with the guy they had," she said, reported Variety.

Eventually, Coppola directed the film, which world premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1999 and became a cult classic.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya K.
As someone who grew up watching Bollywood masala films, I appreciate Coppola's nuanced take on violence. Our Indian action movies often glorify violence too - maybe we need more filmmakers questioning this trend. 🤔
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Rahul S.
Interesting perspective! In India, we have our own version of "old cowboys" - the classic Amitabh Bachchan angry young man films. They had violence but with purpose, just like she describes. Today's South Indian action films though... total overkill!
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Ananya M.
I disagree slightly. Violence in cinema is often cathartic when done well. Look at how we Indians loved 'Baahubali' - the battle scenes were epic but artistic. It's about context and execution, not avoiding violence altogether.
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Vikram J.
Her comments about 'The Virgin Suicides' adaptation are so relatable! In Bollywood too, we've seen how different directors interpret the same story. Remember how 'Devdas' was made differently by Bimal Roy and Sanjay Leela Bhansali? Director's vision matters!
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Shalini P.
As a film student in Mumbai, I really admire Coppola's subtle storytelling. Indian cinema could use more of this sensitivity instead of loud action sequences. Though I must say, our regional cinema is doing better than Bollywood in this regard.
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Arjun D.
While I respect her views, I think avoiding violence completely in art is impractical. Even our mythological shows like Mahabharata had war scenes. The key is balance - something our filmmakers should learn from international directors like her.

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