Behind the Lens
An Evening with Francis Ford Coppola
Special Event at Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation®
- Sunday, April 27
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation | Museum Plaza
Join us for an extraordinary in-person conversation with legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, moderated by Coppola biographer Sam Wasson. In this once-in-a-lifetime event, Coppola will take us behind the scenes of Megalopolis, his tour de force that has been four decades in the making. He'll share insights into his creative process, the film's profound themes and why Megalopolis is more relevant now than ever.
Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear from one of cinema's most visionary directors and innovators as he reflects on his artistic journey, the evolution of Megalopolis and the enduring power of storytelling in shaping a more hopeful future.
Ticketholders who would like to submit a question to Francis Ford Coppola and Sam Wasson for consideration to be included in their conversation can email info@thehenryford.org in advance.
Ticket Prices
| Members | Public |
| $72.25 | $85 |
Tickets are available to purchase online, on-site at any open ticketing counter or by calling our Contact Center at 313-982-6001.
Price includes after-hours admission to Behind the Lens: An Evening with Francis Ford Coppola. Parking is free.
Additional Experiences
Tickets to additional Francis Ford at The Henry Ford experiences hosted at Giant Screen Experience on Sunday, April 27, can be purchased separately:
| Members | Public | |
SOLD OUT — Special Screening of Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis with In-Person Appearance and Remarks from Mr. Coppola | $42.50 | $50.00 |
Distinguished Speakers
 | About Francis Ford CoppolaFrancis Ford Coppola is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers of our time — a six-time Academy Award-winning director, writer and producer of such films as Patton, The Godfather Trilogy, American Graffiti, The Conversation, Apocalypse Now, The Outsiders and Bram Stoker's Dracula. As the co-founder of American Zoetrope with George Lucas, he initiated and nourished the careers of talents such as Carroll Ballard, John Miliusand Sofia Coppola, and actors Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, James Caan, Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall, Matt Dillon and Diane Lane. As a writer, director, producer and technological pioneer, Coppola has created a body of work that has helped shape contemporary American cinema. Coppola's latest film Megalopolis is a Roman epic set in modern times with an all-star cast including Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne and Aubrey Plaza. The film premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 2024 and was released theatrically and in IMAX globally on September 27, 2024. |
 | About Sam WassonSam Wasson is an esteemed writer and publisher living in Los Angeles. Wasson pursued film studies at Wesleyan University and the USC School of Cinematic Arts. His literary career began with A Splurch in the Kisser: The Movies of Blake Edwards, followed by Paul on Mazursky, a compilation of conversations with the esteemed writer-director Paul Mazursky. Published in 2010, Wasson's Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman became a New York Times and Los Angeles Times bestseller and a New York Times and Publishers Weekly best book of the year. Winner of the Cinémathèque française’s Meilleur livre étranger sur le cinéma, Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. has been translated into over a dozen languages and was named by Entertainment Weekly one of the best pop culture books of all time. His biography Fosse appeared on over a half-dozen best books of the year lists and served as the foundation for the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning series "Fosse/Verdon." Wasson's Improv Nation: How We Made A Great American Art was recognized as a finalist for the New York Public Library’s George Freedley Memorial Award. His book The Big Goodbye: Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood received international acclaim, earning him a second Meilleur livre étranger sur le cinéma from the Cinémathèque française. Wasson co-founded Felix Farmer Press in 2020 with producer Brandon Millan, aiming to publish significant works on the art, business, culture and history of Hollywood film. Additionally, Wasson has contributed to various esteemed publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The New Yorker, and has served as a visiting professor of film at Wesleyan University and Emerson College. The Path to Paradise: A Francis Ford Coppola Story, Wasson’s biography of Coppola’s real-life dream studio, American Zoetrope, was published in 2023. |
Dining & Retail
Plum Market Kitchen will be open until 7:30 p.m. for full food service, including the purchase of beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages.
Continue the conversation at home with a curated selection of related books available for purchase in a retail pop-up. Members receive a 10% discount.
- Live Cinema and Its Techniques written by Francis Ford Coppola
- The Path to Paradise: A Francis Ford Coppola Story written by Sam Wasson
- The Godfather Family Album compiled and documented by Steve Schapiro, Paul Duncan and Mario Puzo
Entry & Parking Information
Doors will open to the event at 6:30 p.m. Please show your ticket at the door for entry.
Parking is available in the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation lot off Oakwood Boulevard. Guests can enter the event through the museum Welcome Center.
Please note that parts of Oakwood Boulevard may be affected by construction. Be prepared for traffic delays or detours. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Please note that event dates, times and guest appearances are subject to change. We appreciate your understanding should any scheduling adjustments be necessary.
Photo courtesy of Lindsey Byrnes.
