Sofia Coppola Honored at MoMA for Her Trailblazing Career

Sofia Coppola, acclaimed filmmaker and Oscar-winner, was honored Wednesday night at the Museum of Modern Art for her influential career in film. Surrounded by family, friends, and collaborators, the event highlighted Coppola’s lasting impact on contemporary cinema.

Early Lessons and Career Beginnings

Reflecting on her early years, Coppola recalled advice from Angelica Huston at age 20: “Not everyone’s going to love you. Don’t waste your time on the people who don’t.” These words resonated as she navigated the challenges of establishing herself as a filmmaker, moving past perceptions of being a “nepo baby” and the “amateur actress who had single-handedly ruined ‘The Godfather’ films.”

Despite skepticism, Coppola found her voice. She made her feature debut with The Virgin Suicides and has since directed seven narrative features and a documentary on Marc Jacobs slated for release next year. Her work has been both celebrated, including an Oscar win for Lost in Translation, and criticized, such as the initial reaction to Marie Antoinette at Cannes.

Collaborators Reflect on Her Influence

Elle Fanning described how Coppola’s films shaped her youth, recalling how Marie Antoinette provided a safe, inspiring cinematic world. Fanning later collaborated with Coppola on Somewhere and The Beguiled, citing the director’s ability to make her feel seen and valued on set.

Josh Hartnett also praised Coppola, recounting how she guided him as a young actor during The Virgin Suicides. “Sofia showed me at a young age what it is to be an artist,” he said. Video messages from supporters including Francis Ford Coppola and Kirsten Dunst underscored her influence in the industry.

Family and Support Systems

Coppola acknowledged the critical role of her family in her career. She thanked her father for his guidance, her late mother Eleanor for encouraging both a family and career, her husband Thomas Mars for his support and musical contributions, and her brother Roman for championing her artistic vision.

Advocating for Women in Film

Reflecting on changes for female directors since her debut, Coppola emphasized the ongoing need for women in positions of power and finance to support female filmmakers. “I hope we now recognize how much we need more women in positions of power and finance to support these filmmakers,” she said.

The evening concluded with a performance by Elvis Costello, fulfilling a childhood dream for Coppola. Bill Murray, a longtime collaborator, lauded her unique vision and ability to transform everyday moments into cinematic art, describing her career as a testament to self-awareness and careful attention to life’s details.