What’s The Scandal Surrounding Sofia Coppola’s New Film, Priscilla?

Image via A24, Priscilla

Sofia Coppola is known for her distinct directorial style, and she has some beautiful films under her belt; take The Virgin Suicides or Lost in Translation as examples of her craft.

She’s also dealt with biopic style flicks in the past; her 2006 movie about Marie Antoinette has become increasingly popular over the years.

And though it has been criticised for historical accuracy, the film impressed many with the way it humanised the controversial French Queen.

Now, the American filmmaker has taken on the task of detailing another famous female’s life; or at the very least, famous adjacent.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Priscilla (@priscillamovie)

Priscilla, due to hit Irish cinema screens in December, will follow the life of Elvis Presley’s iconic wife Priscilla Presley, born Priscilla Wagner.

The film explores Priscilla’s highly glamorised relationship with one of the most famous musicians of all time; including the reality of how it was to be married to a man fourteen years her senior, with whom she was infatuated with.

Sofia doesn’t shy away from exposing some of Elvis’ darker behaviours, ones that are rarely discussed by the media – and not everyone is happy with this particular portrayal.

Before her death, Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis and Priscilla’s daughter, spoke out about what she believed was going to be a “vengeful” and “contemptuous” film.

In January of this year, Lisa Marie sadly died aged 54 from a cardiac arrest. Recent reports reveal that in September of 2022, Lisa Marie had expressed her disgust at the film Sofia was making, according to Variety.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Priscilla (@priscillamovie)

In fact, Lisa Marie wrote to Sofia to implore her not to continue with the film’s creation.

“My father only comes across as a predator and manipulative,” Lisa Marie wrote of Sofia’s proposed script.

“As his daughter, I don’t read this and see any of my father in this character. I don’t read this and see my mother’s perspective of my father. I read this and see your shockingly vengeful and contemptuous perspective and I don’t understand why?”

She continued to write, “I will be forced to be in a position where I will have to openly say how I feel about the film and go against you, my mother and this film publicly.”

When Sofia was asked for comment on Lisa Marie’s feelings, Variety reports that the director shared a snippet of her response to Lisa Marie at the time.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬 (@tender_loving_ep)

“I hope that when you see the final film you will feel differently,” Sofia replied, “and understand I’m taking great care in honouring your mother, while also presenting your father with sensitivity and complexity.”

In another exchange, Lisa Marie asked Sofia to consider her children. “I had to explain that we are going to have to endure another hit in our lives. That there is going to be a movie about her grandfather that is going to try to make him look really, really bad but it’s not true.

“I had to explain that her beloved grandmother is supporting it. These two little girls have been through so much in the past 7 years, enduring my divorce and horrific custody battle and then losing their brother. We’ve all been drowning.”

It’s true that Lisa Marie’s mother, and the subject of the film Priscilla Presley, is in support of it’s portrayal of her and Elvis.

In fact, the film is based on her 1985 memoir, Elvis and Me. A source told Variety that attempts were made to “tone down” some aspects of the book, which may shock contemporary audiences in film format.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Priscilla Presley (@priscillapresley)

Praising the film after watching it, People reported that while Priscilla had been “very concerned” about the movie, she revealed she thinks it’s “right on, to be honest with you.”

“I love her filmmaking,” she continued. “I think she does a great job. She is for women, and when she approached me about doing a movie about me, I was moved by it,” Priscilla said.

“If anyone were to do a movie, it would be for her. I would never support another movie from anyone else doing it.”

In an interview with Rolling Stone earlier this year, Sofia spoke candidly about the inner conflict surrounding exploring a person like Elvis.

“I try not to be judgmental of any of the characters and really be as sympathetic as I can to each of them,” she shared.

“And I’m really focused on her perspective…but even with the parents, you’re like, ‘How can anybody let their kid go live with Elvis that young?”

Priscilla will land in Irish cinemas December 26th.

• Elvis Presley
• Lisa Marie
• Priscilla