Sofia Carmina Coppola ( , ; born May 14, 1971) is an American filmmaker and former actress. She has
won an
Academy Award
The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in film. They are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the United States in recognition of excellence ...
, two
Golden Globe Awards
The Golden Globe Awards are awards presented for excellence in both international film and television. It is an annual Awards ceremony, award ceremony held since 1944 to honor artists and professionals and their work. The ceremony is normally ...
, a
Golden Lion, and a
Cannes Film Festival Award.
She was also nominated for three
BAFTA Awards, as well as a
Primetime Emmy Award
The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Owned and operated by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the P ...
.
Her parents are filmmakers
Eleanor
Eleanor () is a feminine given name, originally from an Old French adaptation of the Old Provençal name ''Aliénor''. It was the name of a number of women of royalty and nobility in western Europe during the High Middle Ages">Provençal dialect ...
and
Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola ( ; born April 7, 1939) is an American filmmaker. He is considered one of the leading figures of the New Hollywood and one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. List of awards and nominations received by Francis Ford Coppo ...
, and she made her acting debut as an infant in her father's acclaimed crime drama ''
The Godfather'' (1972). Coppola later appeared in several music videos and had a supporting role in the fantasy comedy film ''
Peggy Sue Got Married'' (1986). She then portrayed
Mary Corleone, the daughter of
Michael Corleone, in the sequel ''
The Godfather Part III'' (1990).
Coppola transitioned into filmmaking with her feature-length directorial debut in the coming-of-age drama ''
The Virgin Suicides'' (1999). It was the first of her collaborations with actress
Kirsten Dunst. Her films often deal with themes of
loneliness, wealth,
privilege,
isolation,
youth
Youth is the time of life when one is young. The word, youth, can also mean the time between childhood and adulthood (Maturity (psychological), maturity), but it can also refer to one's peak, in terms of health or the period of life known as bei ...
,
femininity
Femininity (also called womanliness) is a set of attributes, behaviors, and Gender roles, roles generally associated with women and girls. Femininity can be understood as Social construction of gender, socially constructed, and there is also s ...
, and
adolescence
Adolescence () is a transitional stage of human Developmental biology, physical and psychological Human development (biology), development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to adulthood (typically corresponding to the age o ...
in America. Coppola received the
Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for the comedy-drama ''
Lost in Translation'' (2003), and was nominated for the
Academy Award for Best Director
The Academy Award for Best Director (officially known as the Academy Award of Merit for Directing) is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It is given in honor of a film director who has exhibit ...
, becoming the third woman to do so. She has since directed the historical drama ''
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette (; ; Maria Antonia Josefa Johanna; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was the last List of French royal consorts, queen of France before the French Revolution and the establishment of the French First Republic. She was the ...
'' (2006), the family drama ''
Somewhere'' (2010), the satirical crime drama ''
The Bling Ring'' (2013), the
southern gothic thriller
''The Beguiled'' (2017), the comedy ''
On the Rocks'' (2020), and the biographical drama ''
Priscilla'' (2023).
In 2015, Coppola released the
Netflix
Netflix is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...
Christmas musical comedy special ''
A Very Murray Christmas'', which earned her a nomination for the
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie.
Early life
Coppola was born in New York City on May 14, 1971, the youngest child of documentarian
Eleanor
Eleanor () is a feminine given name, originally from an Old French adaptation of the Old Provençal name ''Aliénor''. It was the name of a number of women of royalty and nobility in western Europe during the High Middle Ages">Provençal dialect ...
(''
née
The birth name is the name of the person given upon their birth. The term may be applied to the surname, the given name or to the entire name. Where births are required to be officially registered, the entire name entered onto a births registe ...
'' Neil) and filmmaker
Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola ( ; born April 7, 1939) is an American filmmaker. He is considered one of the leading figures of the New Hollywood and one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. List of awards and nominations received by Francis Ford Coppo ...
. She is of Italian descent (
Lucanian and
Neapolitan) on her father's side and was raised on her parents' farm in
Rutherford, California. At 15, Coppola interned with
Chanel. Coppola graduated from
St. Helena High School in 1990. She first studied at
Mills College and transferred to the
California Institute of the Arts
The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) is a Private university, private art school in Santa Clarita, California. It was incorporated in 1961 as the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the US created specifically for ...
from 1993 to 1994 to focus on painting. Thereafter, she attended
Art Center College of Design, where she was mentored by
Paul Jasmin. After dropping out of college, Coppola started a clothing line called Milkfed, which is now sold exclusively in Japan.
Coppola had many varying interests growing up, including fashion, photography, music, and design, and did not initially intend to become a filmmaker. However, after making her first short film ''Lick the Star'' in 1998, she realized it "brought together all the things
heloved", and decided to continue her directing pursuits.
Career
1972–1999: Acting career
Coppola's acting career, marked by frequent criticisms of
nepotism
Nepotism is the act of granting an In-group favoritism, advantage, privilege, or position to Kinship, relatives in an occupation or field. These fields can include business, politics, academia, entertainment, sports, religion or health care. In ...
and negative reviews, began while she was an infant, as she made background appearances in eight of her father's films. The best known of these is her appearance in ''
The Godfather'' as the infant Michael Francis Rizzi, in the baptism scene.
Coppola also acted in her father's films ''
The Outsiders'' (1983), in a scene where
Matt Dillon,
Tommy Howell, and
Ralph Macchio are eating at a
Dairy Queen
International Dairy Queen, Inc. (DQ) is an American multinational fast food chain founded in 1940 and currently headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota. The first Dairy Queen was owned and operated by Sherb Noble and first opened on June 22, ...
; ''
Rumble Fish
''Rumble Fish'' is a 1983 American drama film directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It is based on the 1975 novel '' Rumble Fish'' by S. E. Hinton, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Coppola. The film stars Matt Dillon, Mickey Rourke, Vince ...
'' (1983); ''
The Cotton Club'' (1984); and ''
Peggy Sue Got Married'' (1986), in which she portrayed
Kathleen Turner
Mary Kathleen Turner (born June 19, 1954) is an American actress. Known for her distinctive deep husky voice, she is the recipient of two Golden Globes, as well as nominations for an Academy Award, a Grammy, and two Tony Awards.
After debuting ...
's sister Nancy.
''
Frankenweenie'' (1984) was the first film Coppola performed in that was not associated with her father, however, it often goes unnoticed due to her stage name "Domino", which she adopted at the time because she thought it was glamorous. A short film entitled ''
Life Without Zoe'' (1989), released as part of a
tripartite anthology film ''
New York Stories'', was co-written by a teenage Coppola and her father; her father also directed the film. During the time, she partnered with
Roman Coppola on a production company with funding from
American Zoetrope in 1988 to produce low-budget movies, Commercial Pictures.
Coppola returned to her father's ''Godfather'' trilogy in both the second and third ''Godfather'' films, playing an immigrant child in ''
The Godfather Part II
''The Godfather Part II'' is a 1974 American epic film, epic crime film produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, loosely based on the 1969 novel ''The Godfather (novel), The Godfather'' by Mario Puzo, who co-wrote the screenplay with Cop ...
'' and playing Michael Corleone's daughter in ''
The Godfather Part III'' after the originally cast actress,
Winona Ryder, dropped out of the film at the last minute due to
nervous exhaustion.
It has been suggested that Coppola's performance in ''The Godfather Part III'' damaged Francis Ford Coppola's career and ruined Sofia's before it had even begun.
Coppola has said that she never really wanted to act and only did it to help out when her father asked her to.
It has also been suggested that Sofia's role in the film may have affected its box office performance, which started strongly and then went into decline. Coppola herself worried that she had only been given the role because she was the director's daughter, and the role placed a strain on her during the time of shooting that her mother observed in a series of diaries she wrote for
''Vogue'' during the filming.
Coppola later stated that she was not hurt by the criticism from her work in the film because she never especially wanted an acting career.

After she was critically panned for her performance in ''The Godfather Part III'' (for which she was named "Worst Supporting Actress" and "Worst New Star" at the
1990 Golden Raspberry Awards), Coppola largely ended her acting career. However, she did appear in the independent film ''
Inside Monkey Zetterland'' (1992), as well as in the backgrounds of films by her friends and family (for example, she appeared as
Saché, one of Queen
Padmé Amidala's five handmaidens, in
George Lucas' 1999 film ''
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace'').
Coppola also appeared in several 1990s music videos:
the Black Crowes' "Sometimes Salvation";
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth were an American rock band formed in New York City in 1981. Founding members Kim Gordon (bass, vocals, guitar), Thurston Moore (lead guitar, vocals) and Lee Ranaldo (rhythm guitar, vocals) remained together for the entire history of ...
's "Mildred Pierce";
Madonna
Madonna Louise Ciccone ( ; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Referred to as the "Queen of Pop", she has been recognized for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, ...
's "
Deeper and Deeper";
the Chemical Brothers' "
Elektrobank", which was directed by her then-husband
Spike Jonze
Adam Spiegel (born October 22, 1969), known professionally as Spike Jonze (), is an American Filmmaking, filmmaker, actor, musician, and photographer. His work includes films, commercials, music videos, skateboard videos and television.
Jonze ...
; and later
Phoenix's "Funky Squaredance".
1998–2003: Directorial debut and acclaim
''The Virgin Suicides'' (1999)
Coppola's first short film was ''
Lick the Star'' (1998). It played many times on the
Independent Film Channel. She made her feature film directing debut with ''
The Virgin Suicides'' (1999); the film adaptation of the novel ''
The Virgin Suicides'' by
Jeffrey Eugenides. It received critical acclaim upon its premiere in North America at the 2000
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is an annual film festival organized by the Sundance Institute. It is the largest independent film festival in the United States, with 423,234 combined in-person and online viewership in 2023.
The festival has acted ...
and was released later that year. Coppola was first drawn to the story after reading the book by
Jeffrey Eugenides in 1995, at the recommendation of musician
Thurston Moore
Thurston Joseph Moore (born July 25, 1958) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter best known as a member of the rock band Sonic Youth. He has also participated in many solo and group collaborations outside Sonic Youth, as well as running ...
. Coppola said she felt the novel's author understood the teenage experience. She has also said that if not for the book, she may not have had a career in film. Specifically, Coppola has highlighted the representation of teenagers "lazing around", a situation she connected with but felt was not seen very much in films in any relatable way. The story's theme of loss was a personal connection for Coppola in light of the 1986 death of her oldest brother in a boating accident, though she stated that she did not immediately realize this connection.
[ Coppola secured the rights to the novel and adapted the screenplay herself.][ The low-budget film drew praise from critics][ and represented the point at which Coppola became a filmmaker independent of her family connections.][ She credits the start of her career to the ]Cannes
Cannes (, ; , ; ) is a city located on the French Riviera. It is a communes of France, commune located in the Alpes-Maritimes departments of France, department, and host city of the annual Cannes Film Festival, Midem, and Cannes Lions Internatio ...
festival after the film premiered there.[ The film stars actors ]Danny DeVito
Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. (born November 17, 1944) is an American actor and filmmaker. He gained prominence for his portrayal of the taxi dispatcher Louie De Palma in the television series ''Taxi (TV series), Taxi'' (1978–1983), which won him ...
, Kirsten Dunst, Scott Glenn, Josh Hartnett, Michael Paré, Jonathan Tucker, Kathleen Turner
Mary Kathleen Turner (born June 19, 1954) is an American actress. Known for her distinctive deep husky voice, she is the recipient of two Golden Globes, as well as nominations for an Academy Award, a Grammy, and two Tony Awards.
After debuting ...
, and James Woods.
; ''Lost in Translation'' (2003)
Coppola's second feature '' Lost in Translation'' (2003) won her the Academy Award
The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in film. They are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the United States in recognition of excellence ...
for best original screenplay and three Golden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Awards are awards presented for excellence in both international film and television. It is an annual award ceremony held since 1944 to honor artists and professionals and their work. The ceremony is normally held every Janua ...
s including Best Picture Musical or Comedy. After Lina Wertmüller
Arcangela Felice Assunta "Lina" Wertmüller (; 14 August 1928 – 9 December 2021) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. She is best known for her 1970s art film, art house films ''Seven Beauties'',' ''The Seduction of Mimi'', ''Lov ...
and Jane Campion, Coppola became the third female director to be nominated for an Academy Award for Directing and the second to win the Original Screenplay award, after Campion in 1994 (Wertmüller was also nominated). Her win for the best original screenplay in 2003 made her a third-generation Oscar winner. Coppola was the second woman, after Edith Head
Edith Claire Head (née Posener, October 28, 1897 – October 24, 1981) was an American film costume designer who won a record eight Academy Awards for Academy Award for Best Costume Design, Best Costume Design between 1949 and 1973, making he ...
, to be nominated for three Oscars in one night. In 2004, Coppola was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS, often pronounced ; also known as simply the Academy or the Motion Picture Academy) is a professional honorary organization in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., with the stated goal of adva ...
. Coppola shot '' Lost in Translation'' in 27 days, with a small crew, working without permits. Scenes were filmed impromptu on the street, while scenes shot at the Park Hyatt Hotel allowed the crew to use its corridors between two and three in the morning without disturbing guests.
The film received positive reception and acclaim, though also generated controversy due the film's usage "of Japan as an exotic and bizarre landscape for its American protagonists". The group Asian Mediawatch lobbied against the film's Academy Award nominations, stating "The film has no meaningful Japanese roles, nor is there any significant dialogue between the main characters and the Japanese. Such portrayals perpetuate negative stereotypes and attitudes that are harmful to Asian Americans in the US, where a significant minority of Americans already have negative attitudes towards Asians." Coppola responded to these allegations in an interview for ''The Independent
''The Independent'' is a British online newspaper. It was established in 1986 as a national morning printed paper. Nicknamed the ''Indy'', it began as a broadsheet and changed to tabloid format in 2003. The last printed edition was publis ...
'', "I can see why people might think that, but I know I'm not racist. I think if everything's based on truth, you can make fun, have a little laugh, but also be respectful of a culture. I just love Tokyo, and I'm not mean-spirited...Even on our daily call sheets, they would mix up the 'rs' and the 'ls' – all that was from experience, it's not made up. I guess someone has misunderstood my intentions. It bugs me, because I know I'm not racist."
2006–2017: Established career
; ''Marie Antoinette'' (2006)
Her third film was the biopic ''Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette (; ; Maria Antonia Josefa Johanna; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was the last List of French royal consorts, queen of France before the French Revolution and the establishment of the French First Republic. She was the ...
'' (2006), adapted from the biography by British historian Antonia Fraser
Lady Antonia Margaret Caroline Fraser, (; born 27 August 1932) is a British author of history, novels, biographies and detective fiction. She is the widow of the 2005 Nobel Laureate in Literature, Harold Pinter (1930–2008), and prior to h ...
. Kirsten Dunst plays the titular character and Jason Schwartzman, Coppola's cousin, plays King Louis XVI. The film debuted at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival where, despite boos in the audience, it received a standing ovation. Though critics were divided at the time of its release, it has since received a cult following and more critical acclaim in the years that followed. Peter Bradshaw of ''The Guardian
''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...
'' declared, "Sofia Coppola's presentation of Marie's life has a sisterly, unjudging intimacy, and the director has carried off pert inventions and provocations with some style, combining dazzling visual tableaux and formal set-pieces in strict period, with new wave chart hits from the 1970s and 80s: these musical anachronisms lending ironic torsion to the overall effect."
''Marie Antoinette'' was shot on location at the Château de Versailles. Coppola herself has claimed that she was initially drawn towards the character of Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette (; ; Maria Antonia Josefa Johanna; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was the last List of French royal consorts, queen of France before the French Revolution and the establishment of the French First Republic. She was the ...
as an innocent and caring character who found herself in a situation outside of her control, and that rather than creating a historical representation, she wanted to create a more intimate look into the world of the heroine. Coppola was interested in making an emotional connection to the young royalty whose "coming-of-age took place under conditions familiar to a pampered zoo animal". The film's style is not that of a traditional biopic, and instead utilizes "hit songs and incongruous dialogue". The film received the Academy Award for Best Costume Design as well as three BAFTA Awards nominations.
; ''Somewhere'' (2010)
Coppola's fourth film was '' Somewhere'' (2010), filmed at Chateau Marmont. The plot focuses on a "bad boy" actor Marco (portrayed by Stephen Dorff
Stephen Hartley Dorff Jr. (born July 29, 1973) is an American actor. Starting his film career as a child appearing in the Cult following, cult horror (genre), horror film ''The Gate (1987 film), The Gate'' (1987), Dorff first rose to prominence ...
) who is forced to reevaluate his life when his daughter Cleo (played by Elle Fanning
Mary Elle Fanning (born April 9, 1998) is an American actress. Her works include both independent films and blockbusters, and her accolades include a National Board of Review Award, in addition to nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and ...
) arrives unexpectedly. The relationship between Marco and Cleo was loosely based on Coppola's own relationship with her father. The film won the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival
The Venice Film Festival or Venice International Film Festival (, "International Exhibition of Cinematographic Art of the Venice Biennale") is an annual film festival held in Venice, Italy. It is the world's oldest film festival and one of the ...
. In November 2010, Coppola was interviewed by Joel Coen, who professed his admiration of her work, at the DGA screening of ''Somewhere'' in New York City.
'' Somewhere'' depicts a newly famous actor (Stephen Dorff
Stephen Hartley Dorff Jr. (born July 29, 1973) is an American actor. Starting his film career as a child appearing in the Cult following, cult horror (genre), horror film ''The Gate (1987 film), The Gate'' (1987), Dorff first rose to prominence ...
) recuperating from a minor injury whose wealth, fame, and professional experiences cannot alleviate the existential crisis he is experiencing, as he is forced to care for his 11-year-old daughter in the absence of his wife. The film premiered at the 67th Venice International Film Festival, and opened in the rest of Italy, on September 3, 2010. The festival jury unanimously awarded the film the Golden Lion prize for the best overall film. Quentin Tarantino, president of the jury, said the film "grew and grew in our hearts, in our minds, in our affections" after the first screening. The film continued to receive critical acclaim, especially from notable film critic Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert ( ; June 18, 1942 – April 4, 2013) was an American Film criticism, film critic, film historian, journalist, essayist, screenwriter and author. He wrote for the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' from 1967 until his death in 2013. Eber ...
of the ''Chicago Sun-Times
The ''Chicago Sun-Times'' is a daily nonprofit newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Since 2022, it is the flagship paper of Chicago Public Media, and has long held the second largest circulation among Chicago newspaper ...
'' who praised the detail in the portrait of Johnny Marco, writing, "Coppola is a fascinating director. She sees, and we see exactly what she sees. There is little attempt here to observe a plot. All the attention is on the handful of characters, on Johnny."
; ''The Bling Ring'' (2013)
Coppola's next film, '' The Bling Ring'' (2013), was based on actual events centered around the Bling Ring, a group of California teenagers who burgled the homes of several celebrities over 2008 and 2009, stealing around $3 million in cash and belongings. Emma Watson, Taissa Farmiga, Leslie Mann, Israel Broussard, Katie Chang, and Claire Julien starred in the film, which premiered at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, opening the '' Un Certain Regard'' section. It was inspired by a '' Vanity Fair'' feature on the real-life criminals depicted in the film, whom Coppola described as "products of our growing reality TV culture". The film received generally positive reviews, with many praising its style and performances. While some felt that the film glamorized the crimes in the story and failed to make an assertive message about them through the narrative; "Coppola neither makes a case for her characters nor places them inside of some kind of moral or critical framework; they simply pass through the frame, listing off name brands and staring at their phones".
; ''A Very Murray Christmas'' (2015)
Coppola collaborated again with her ''Lost in Translation'' star Bill Murray
William James Murray (born September 21, 1950) is an American actor and comedian, known for his deadpan delivery in roles ranging from studio comedies to independent dramas. He has received List of awards and nominations received by Bill Murra ...
on '' A Very Murray Christmas'', which stars Murray and was co-written by herself, Murray and Mitch Glazer. The film, an homage to classic Christmas
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating Nativity of Jesus, the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a Religion, religious and Culture, cultural celebration among billions of people Observance of Christmas by coun ...
-themed variety show
Variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is entertainment made up of a variety of acts including musical performances, sketch comedy, magic, acrobatics, juggling, and ventriloquism. It is normally introduced by a comp� ...
s, was released in December 2015 on Netflix
Netflix is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...
.
; ''The Beguiled'' (2017)
Coppola directed '' The Beguiled'' (2017), a remake of the 1971 eponymous Southern Gothic film, starring Nicole Kidman, Elle Fanning
Mary Elle Fanning (born April 9, 1998) is an American actress. Her works include both independent films and blockbusters, and her accolades include a National Board of Review Award, in addition to nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and ...
, and Kirsten Dunst. The film premiered at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, where Coppola became the second woman (and the first American woman) to win the Best Director award. The film is based on the 1966 book of the same name by author Thomas P. Cullinan about a wounded Union soldier in a Mississippi seminary
A seminary, school of theology, theological college, or divinity school is an educational institution for educating students (sometimes called seminarians) in scripture and theology, generally to prepare them for ordination to serve as cle ...
during the American Civil War
The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...
, and was made for under $10 million. The film exhibited elements of the thriller genre, another departure for Coppola.[
]
Coppola cited her intrigue with the South
South is one of the cardinal directions or compass points. The direction is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to both west and east.
Etymology
The word ''south'' comes from Old English ''sūþ'', from earlier Proto-Germanic ''*sunþa ...
as part of the story's appeal. Coppola has said that she "wanted the film to represent an exaggerated version of all the ways women were traditionally raised there just to be lovely and cater to men—the manners of that whole world, and how they change when the men go away". Coppola has cited '' Gone with the Wind'' as her inspiration for creating a film that was relatable despite its position within a different era.[ The film faced a wave of controversy and division, including accusations of 'whitewashing' the original story after Coppola removed the supporting role of a black female slave from the film, as well as chose Kirsten Dunst to portray a character who was biracial in the original novel. Coppola also faced criticism for minimizing the story of the people experiencing actual hardship in favor of depicting, albeit authentically, the lavish lifestyle of her protagonists, thus minimizing the importance of a weighty topic. Coppola responded to these allegations by citing the presence of young girls among her movie-going audience. ''The Beguiled'' is not the only of Coppola's films to be accused of exposing the socio-cultural affordances of her own childhood.][
Coppola described her version of the film as a reinterpretation, rather than a remake, of Don Siegel's 1971 adaption of the same book.][ Coppola wanted to tell the story of the male soldier entering into a classically southern and female environment from the point of view of the women and represent what that was like for them.][ Coppola thought that the earlier version made the characters out to be crazy caricatures and did not allow the viewer to know them.][ While some critics claim that Coppola intended ''The Beguiled'' as a feminist work, Coppola explained that she is not in favor of that labeling. Though she has said she is happy if others see the film in this way, she sees it as a film, rather, that possesses a female perspective—an important distinction. ''The Beguiled'' was also made as a contrast to ''The Bling Ring'', and Coppola has explained that
she needed to correct that film's harsh ]Los Angeles
Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...
aesthetic with something more beautiful and poetic.[
]
2020–present
; ''On the Rocks'' (2020)
Coppola's film, '' On the Rocks'', tells the story of a daughter and father, played by Rashida Jones and Bill Murray
William James Murray (born September 21, 1950) is an American actor and comedian, known for his deadpan delivery in roles ranging from studio comedies to independent dramas. He has received List of awards and nominations received by Bill Murra ...
respectively, as they explore New York together in an attempt to mend their fractured relationship. It was released in a limited theatrical release on October 2, 2020, by A24 and was released for digital streaming on October 23, 2020, by Apple TV+.
The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised Coppola's screenplay and direction, and noted it as lighter than her previous films. Some critics stated that the film "isn't destined to achieve the same kind of iconic status as some of Coppola's previous work".
; ''Fairyland'' (2023)
An announcement in mid-December 2013 stated that American Zoetrope had successfully attained the screen rights for the memoir ''Fairyland: A Memoir of My Father'' and that Coppola would adapt the book with Andrew Durham. Coppola would also produce the film with her brother Roman. Coppola would later drop out of directing duties while remaining herself as a producer, as Durham took over as the sole director and writer for the film.
The film, titled ''Fairyland
Fairyland (Early Modern English: ''Faerie''; ( Scottish mythology; cf. (Norse mythology)) in English and Scottish folklore is the fabulous land or abode of fairies or ''fays''. Old French
Old French (, , ; ) was the language spoken in most of ...
'' and starring Emilia Jones and Scoot McNairy, premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is an annual film festival organized by the Sundance Institute. It is the largest independent film festival in the United States, with 423,234 combined in-person and online viewership in 2023.
The festival has acted ...
to positive reviews.
; ''Priscilla'' (2023)
Coppola's next film, '' Priscilla'' (2023), her eighth as a director, is based on the life of Priscilla Presley and her 1985 memoir '' Elvis and Me''. It stars Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla and Jacob Elordi as Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one of the most significant cultural figures of the ...
. The film is distributed by A24 and premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival in September 2023.
The film dives into the life of Priscilla Presley, allowing viewers to take a look into Priscilla's relationship with Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one of the most significant cultural figures of the ...
. Unlike the film Elvis (2022) by Baz Luhrmann, the film does not portray Elvis positively or much of his successful career. Instead, it portrays Elvis' "darker, domestic side". Coppola was more interested in showing Priscilla's side of their relationship, highlighting the terror of Elvis' physical and emotional abuse towards Priscilla.
The film received positive reviews, with ''Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason.
The magazine was first known fo ...
'' declaring the film to be her best since ''Lost in Translation''. David Rooney of ''The Hollywood Reporter
''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...
'' wrote, "Coppola has always been a filmmaker who coaxes out feelings rather than blasts them with emphatic declarations, and the nuanced restraint of her writing and direction here are very much points in Priscilla's favor."
Coppola stated that she used her teenage years growing up in the Bay Area to inform her position in this role. She stated specifically about her time as a teenager, "I just remember everything being epic and important and with a lot of feeling and driving around and listening to music. Your senses are more heightened or something."
Other work
Television
In the mid-1990s, Coppola and her best friend Zoe Cassavetes helmed the short-lived Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American Cable television in the United States, cable television channel, channel owned by Paramount Global through its Paramount Media Networks, network division's Paramount Media Networks#MTV Entertainment Group, MTV Ente ...
series '' Hi Octane'', which spotlit performers in underground music. The show was cancelled after four episodes.
In December 2008, Coppola's first commercial premiered during an episode of '' Gossip Girl''. The advertisement she directed for the Christian Dior
Christian Ernest Dior (; 21 January 1905 – 24 October 1957) was a French fashion designer and founder of one of the world's top fashion houses, Dior, Christian Dior SE. His fashion house is known all around the world, having gained promi ...
fragrance ''Miss Dior Chérie'', shot in France with model Maryna Linchuk, was very well received and continues to be popular on YouTube
YouTube is an American social media and online video sharing platform owned by Google. YouTube was founded on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim who were three former employees of PayPal. Headquartered in ...
.
In October 2014, Coppola launched a series of Christmas ads for the clothing chain Gap.
In May 2020, it was announced Coppola would write and direct an adaptation of '' The Custom of the Country'' by Edith Wharton for Apple TV+.
In 2022, Coppola guest-starred as herself, alongside her husband Thomas Mars and fellow director Jim Jarmusch, in an episode of the FX horror comedy series '' What We Do in the Shadows''.
Modeling
At the beginning of the 1990s, Coppola was often featured in girl-oriented magazines like '' Seventeen'' and '' YM''. In 1994, she co-founded the clothing line ''Milk Fed'' in Japan, with her friend Stephanie Hayman in cooperation with Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth were an American rock band formed in New York City in 1981. Founding members Kim Gordon (bass, vocals, guitar), Thurston Moore (lead guitar, vocals) and Lee Ranaldo (rhythm guitar, vocals) remained together for the entire history of ...
's Kim Gordon
Kim Althea Gordon (born April 28, 1953) is an American musician, singer and songwriter best known as the bassist, guitarist, and vocalist of alternative rock band Sonic Youth. Born in Rochester, New York, she was raised in Los Angeles, Califor ...
. In 2001, the fashion designer Marc Jacobs
Marc Jacobs (born April 9, 1963) is an American fashion designer. He is the head designer for his own fashion label, Marc Jacobs, and formerly Marc by Marc Jacobs, a diffusion line, which was produced for approximately 15 years, before it was d ...
chose the actress/director to be the "face" of his house's fragrance, Daisy. The campaign photographs of Coppola were shot by photographer Jürgen Teller. The July 2013 issue of ''Elle'' featured photographs shot by Coppola of Paris Hilton at Hilton's Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills is a city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. A notable and historic suburb of Los Angeles, it is located just southwest of the Hollywood Hills, approximately northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Beverly Hil ...
mansion (Both model and house appear in '' The Bling Ring'').
Stage direction
In 2017, before Coppola started pre-production on '' The Beguiled'', she was asked by Italian state broadcaster Rai Com from All'Opera to direct their latest production of '' La Traviata. La Traviata'' is a three act opera by Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi ( ; ; 9 or 10 October 1813 – 27 January 1901) was an Italian composer best known for List of compositions by Giuseppe Verdi, his operas. He was born near Busseto, a small town in the province of Parma ...
set to an Italian libretto by Francesca Maria Piave. This Coppola-directed production was filmed for broadcast in Germany and France by Arte/ZDF, using multiple state-of-the art 4k cameras and up to 100 microphones. Coppola said in an interview she "could not turn down the project" with designer and fashion icon Valentino Garavani designing the costumes for this 15 show run of ''La Traviata'' (2017). Discussing her modern take on this classic story Coppola says "I wanted to bring out the personal side of the French courtesan, the party girl used to the social scene. It's a very feminine world that I love".
This was the first stage production Coppola directed. Coppola discusses how Valentino "really motivated me to take a chance and do something that was scary for me and very unfamiliar," and promised a "traditional" production that could nevertheless be appreciated by those who are not opera connoisseurs. Rome Opera House Director Carlo Fuortes said in an interview ticket sales had exceeded 1.2 million euros (1.35 million dollars), a record for the establishment.
All fifteen shows nearly sold out before opening night. It was the biggest box office success since the Teatro dell'Opera Di Roma opened in 1880.
Art
Coppola sits on the board for Gagosian Gallery.
Retail
In 2024, Coppola released a line of lip balms in collaboration with skin care brand Augustinus Bader.
Personal life
In 1992, Coppola met director Spike Jonze
Adam Spiegel (born October 22, 1969), known professionally as Spike Jonze (), is an American Filmmaking, filmmaker, actor, musician, and photographer. His work includes films, commercials, music videos, skateboard videos and television.
Jonze ...
; they married in 1999 and divorced in 2003. In an official statement, Coppola's publicist explained that the divorce decision was reached "with sadness". It is widely believed that the main character's husband in ''Lost in Translation'' is based on Jonze, as Coppola stated after the film's release, "There are elements of Spike there, elements of experiences."
From 2003 to 2005 Coppola dated filmmaker Quentin Tarantino. They have remained friends since their separation.
Coppola married musician Thomas Mars on August 27, 2011, at Palazzo Margherita in Bernalda, Italy. They met while producing the soundtrack to ''The Virgin Suicides''. They have two daughters: Romy (born November 28, 2006), whose name is an homage to Coppola's brother Roman, and Cosima (born May 2010).
Coppola and her family lived in Paris
Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...
for several years before moving to New York City
New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
in 2010.
Coppola has maintained a low public profile for her family, aiming for her daughters' lives to be unaffected by her career and travel. When asked if her choices as a parent to keep her children out of the spotlight is a result of her own upbringing, Coppola has explained that she does not want her children to be jaded.
Filmography
Film
Television
Stage
Music videos
* "Shine" by Walt Mink (1993)
* " This Here Giraffe" by The Flaming Lips
The Flaming Lips are an American psychedelic rock band formed in 1983 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The band currently consists of Wayne Coyne (vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards), Steven Drozd (guitars, bass, keyboards, drums, vocals), Derek Brown ...
(1996)
* "Playground Love" by Air (2000)
* " City Girl" by Kevin Shields
Kevin Patrick Shields (born 21 May 1963) is an Irish musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, who achieved international fame as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the alternative rock band My Bloody Valentine (band), My Bloody Valenti ...
(2003)
* " I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" by The White Stripes (2003)
* "Chloroform
Chloroform, or trichloromethane (often abbreviated as TCM), is an organochloride with the formula and a common solvent. It is a volatile, colorless, sweet-smelling, dense liquid produced on a large scale as a precursor to refrigerants and po ...
" by Phoenix (2013)
* "A-Lister" by Romy Mars (2025)
Advertisements
* ''Miss Dior Chérie'' fragrance for Christian Dior
Christian Ernest Dior (; 21 January 1905 – 24 October 1957) was a French fashion designer and founder of one of the world's top fashion houses, Dior, Christian Dior SE. His fashion house is known all around the world, having gained promi ...
starring Maryna Linchuk (2008)
* ''City of Light'' fragrance for Christian Dior starring Natalie Portman (2012)
* ''Marni'' collection for H&M starring Imogen Poots
Imogen Gay Poots (born 3 June 1989) is an English actress. She played Tammy in the post-apocalyptic horror film ''28 Weeks Later'' (2007), Linda Keith in the Jimi Hendrix biopic ''Jimi: All Is by My Side'' (2013), Debbie Raymond in the Paul Ray ...
(2012)
* ''La vie en rose'' for Christian Dior fragrance Miss Dior starring Natalie Portman (2013)
* '' Daisy'' fragrance for Marc Jacobs
Marc Jacobs (born April 9, 1963) is an American fashion designer. He is the head designer for his own fashion label, Marc Jacobs, and formerly Marc by Marc Jacobs, a diffusion line, which was produced for approximately 15 years, before it was d ...
starring Ondria Hardin, Malaika Firth, Antonia Wesseloh, and Sophia Ahrens (2013)
* ''Dress Normal'' for Gap (2014)
* '' Calvin Klein Underwear Women's Spring'' (2017)
* ''New York City Ballet'' for the 2021 Spring Gala (2021)
* ''Suntory Time'' 100th anniversary tribute for Suntory whiskey featuring Keanu Reeves (2023)
* ''Barrie + Sofia Coppola'' capsule collection for Barrie featuring Margaret Qualley (2023)
Acting roles
Film
Television
Music videos
* "Mildred Pierce" by Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth were an American rock band formed in New York City in 1981. Founding members Kim Gordon (bass, vocals, guitar), Thurston Moore (lead guitar, vocals) and Lee Ranaldo (rhythm guitar, vocals) remained together for the entire history of ...
(1990) – directed by Dave Markey
* " Deeper and Deeper" by Madonna
Madonna Louise Ciccone ( ; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Referred to as the "Queen of Pop", she has been recognized for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, ...
(1992) – directed by Bobby Woods
* "Sometimes Salvation" by The Black Crowes (1992) – directed by Stéphane Sednaoui
* " Elektrobank" by The Chemical Brothers (1997) – directed by Spike Jonze
Adam Spiegel (born October 22, 1969), known professionally as Spike Jonze (), is an American Filmmaking, filmmaker, actor, musician, and photographer. His work includes films, commercials, music videos, skateboard videos and television.
Jonze ...
* "Funky Squaredance" by Phoenix (2002) – directed by Roman Coppola
Awards and nominations
Coppola was nominated for three Academy Awards
The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in film. They are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the United States in recognition of excellence in ...
for her film ''Lost in Translation'' (2003), in the categories of Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. She went on to win Best Original Screenplay, losing the other two nominations to Peter Jackson's '' The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King''. Coppola's nomination for Best Director made her the first American woman to be nominated in that category, and the third woman overall, after Lina Wertmüller
Arcangela Felice Assunta "Lina" Wertmüller (; 14 August 1928 – 9 December 2021) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. She is best known for her 1970s art film, art house films ''Seven Beauties'',' ''The Seduction of Mimi'', ''Lov ...
and Jane Campion. In 2010, Kathryn Bigelow became the fourth woman to be nominated, and the first to win the award. Coppola, however, remains the youngest woman to be nominated in the category. Her win for Best Original Screenplay (along with her cousin Nicolas Cage's 1996 win for Best Actor) resulted in her family becoming the second three-generation Oscar-winning family, with her grandfather Carmine Coppola and her father Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola ( ; born April 7, 1939) is an American filmmaker. He is considered one of the leading figures of the New Hollywood and one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. List of awards and nominations received by Francis Ford Coppo ...
having previously won Oscars as well. The first family to achieve this feat was the Huston family, for wins by Walter, John, and Anjelica. For her work on ''Lost in Translation'', Coppola also won the Golden Globe Awards
The Golden Globe Awards are awards presented for excellence in both international film and television. It is an annual Awards ceremony, award ceremony held since 1944 to honor artists and professionals and their work. The ceremony is normally ...
for Best Motion Picture and Best Screenplay, in addition to receiving three Independent Spirit Awards
The Independent Spirit Awards, originally known as the FINDIE or Friends of Independents Awards, and later as the Film Independent Spirit Awards, are awards presented annually in Santa Monica, California, to independent filmmakers. Founded in ...
and three BAFTA Award nominations.
On September 11, 2010, Coppola's film ''Somewhere'' won the Golden Lion, the top prize at the Venice International Film Festival. Coppola became the first American woman and the fourth American filmmaker to win the award.
In 2016, Coppola's musical comedy special '' A Very Murray Christmas'' earned her a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie.
On May 28, 2017, Coppola was awarded the Best Director Award at the Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes Film Festival (; ), until 2003 called the International Film Festival ('), is the most prestigious film festival in the world.
Held in Cannes, France, it previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around ...
for her film ''The Beguiled'', making her the second woman and the first American woman to win the award.
Books
*
Released on November 1, 2023. ''Archive'' by Sofia Coppola is a personal collection with behind the scene content, scripts, photographs, and development behind each film. Including content from all eight of her films ''The Virgin Suicides'' (1999), ''Lost in Translation'' (2003), ''Marie Antoinette'' (2006), ''Somewhere'' (2010), ''The Beguiled'' (2017), and ''Priscilla'' (2023). The book has a total of 488 pages. ''Archive'' is personally edited and annotated by Coppola herself.
See also
* Coppola family tree
The Coppola family ( , ) is an Italian-American family of filmmaking, filmmakers and performing arts, performing artists.
The family originates from Bernalda in the region of Basilicata. Agostino "August" Coppola (1882–1946) immigrated to the ...
* List of Academy Award–winning families
Notes
References
Further reading
*
*
*
*
"Off with Hollywood's Head: Sofia Coppola as Feminine Auteur"
Film Criticism, 2010.
External links
*
Milk fed.
��Coppola's Japanese fashion label
* —Coppola's Canned Wine
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Coppola, Sofia
1971 births
Living people
Sofia Carmina
Spiegel family
American child actresses
American expatriate actresses in France
American film actresses
American people of Italian descent
People of Campanian descent
People of Lucanian descent
American music video directors
Screenwriters from California
American women film directors
American women screenwriters
Best Screenplay Golden Globe winners
Best Original Screenplay Academy Award winners
Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Director winners
California Institute of the Arts alumni
César Award winners
Directors of Golden Lion winners
Ethical Culture Fieldston School alumni
Female music video directors
Film directors from Los Angeles
Golden Globe Award–winning producers
Independent Spirit Award for Best Director winners
Mills College alumni
People from Rutherford, California
Writers from Los Angeles
Writers Guild of America Award winners
Film directors from New York City
Screenwriters from New York (state)
People from Greenwich Village
Postmodernist filmmakers