Sofia Coppola was honored at the Museum of Modern Art’s annual Film Benefit in New York on Wednesday, receiving a warm celebration from long-time collaborators, actors, and friends who praised her distinctive visual style and artistic influence. The event, presented by Chanel, supported MoMA’s film collection and preservation initiatives, recognizing Coppola’s evolution from a young creative navigating skepticism to one of the most notable filmmakers of her generation.

The evening brought together industry figures including Bill Murray, Elle Fanning, and Josh Hartnett, alongside Coppola’s family, as they reflected on her career, her resilience, and her enduring impact on modern filmmaking.

Early Challenges and a Career Defined by Persistence

Coppola opened the evening by recalling advice she received at age 20 from actress Anjelica Huston: “Not everyone’s going to love you. Don’t waste your time on the people who don’t.” The memory set the tone for a deeply personal tribute.

She spoke candidly about growing up with the weight of famous lineage, noting she was viewed as “a nepo baby before they were charming” and remembered by critics as “the amateur actress who had single-handedly ruined ‘The Godfather’ films.” Despite the scrutiny, Coppola credited a small circle of early supporters who believed in her voice.

Since her feature debut with The Virgin Suicides, Coppola has written and directed seven narrative features and a forthcoming documentary about designer Marc Jacobs, set for release by A24 next year. Her career has spanned both acclaim and controversy—from winning an Academy Award for Lost in Translation to being booed at Cannes for Marie Antoinette, a film that has since achieved a devoted following.

Collaborators Reflect on Coppola’s Vision and Influence

Acting partnerships shaped her creative community

Elle Fanning recounted meeting Coppola at age 11, recalling that she meticulously planned her outfit before their first meeting—an encounter that led to her casting in Somewhere. She described Coppola’s work as transformative, saying she found a sense of “safety and belonging” in the filmmaker’s worlds.

Fanning shared how Coppola empowered her on set, treating her as an equal and elevating personal details—such as braces and glasses—into elements of character. She later reunited with Coppola for The Beguiled, where she explored more complex roles.

Josh Hartnett praised Coppola for trusting him early in his career when she cast him in The Virgin Suicides. He recalled her calm authority on set at age 26 and noted her artistic presence shaped his understanding of filmmaking. “Sofia showed me at a young age what it is to be an artist,” he said.

Bill Murray, who has collaborated with Coppola on several projects including On the Rocks, offered a humorous but heartfelt tribute. “She’s not just the daughter of a great filmmaker,” he said. “She’s a great filmmaker.” He described her ability to find meaning in everyday moments, saying, “The movies she makes and the woman she has become are the result of paying attention.”

Messages From Family and Friends Add to the Tribute

Those unable to attend, including her father Francis Ford Coppola and actress Kirsten Dunst, sent video tributes. Dunst, who has starred in several of Coppola’s films, called her a “creative sister” of more than two decades.

Coppola attended the event with her husband, musician Thomas Mars, and their daughters, Romy and Cosima. She thanked her late mother, filmmaker Eleanor Coppola, for showing her that raising a family and pursuing an artistic career could coexist. She also credited her brother Roman Coppola for encouraging her to stay true to her vision—particularly when pressured to change the ending of Lost in Translation.

Supporting Women in Film Remains a Central Focus

Looking ahead, Coppola acknowledged the strides made since her early career, when an industry executive told her that films about women wouldn’t succeed because “boys won’t go to see films about girls.” Although progress has been made, she emphasized the ongoing need for more women in leadership and financing roles to support emerging filmmakers.

Chanel’s long-standing support for women in cinema was highlighted throughout the evening. The luxury fashion house not only sponsored the benefit but also backs MoMA’s film programs, including a collection of more than 30,000 works.

Elvis Costello Performs a Childhood Dream Finale

The night concluded with a performance by Elvis Costello, fulfilling what Coppola described as a childhood dream. Murray joked earlier in the evening that when he heard Coppola was being honored at age 54, he wondered, “Was she OK?” But he later underscored her unique artistry, saying, “I feel like I was paying attention myself when I said, ‘I want to work with this girl.’”

Source: AP News – Bill Murray, Elle Fanning and Elvis Costello celebrate Sofia Coppola at MoMA benefit

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In the heartwarming and heart-wrenching film The Friend, the true star isn’t one of the human actors but a giant, lovable Great Dane named Bing. With the imposing presence of a “Star Wars” walker and the soft eyes of a seasoned actor, Bing steals the show—making heads turn whenever he walks down the street with his co-stars, Naomi Watts and Bill Murray. “People would go, ‘Hey, get a load of the blonde,’” recalls Murray, mimicking a double take, “and then they’d say, ‘Get a load of THE DOG!’”

At a towering size and gentle nature, Bing is unlike any dog we’ve seen before on screen. With 40 extra pounds compared to Naomi Watts, Bing makes quite the impression. But The Friend isn’t just another dog movie. Adapted from Sigrid Nunez’s 2018 National Book Award-winning novel, it tells the emotional story of Iris (played by Watts), a New York author who unexpectedly inherits Apollo (Bing), the cherished Great Dane of her late mentor, Walter (Murray). Their lives collide as they both navigate grief—neither is quite prepared for what lies ahead, from apartment building pet policies to Apollo’s own deep sorrow.

David Siegel, co-director of The Friend, emphasizes the therapeutic power of animal companionship. “How creatures find each other—that’s where the solace comes from,” he explains. The filmmakers chose Bing for his “countenance,” or the emotional depth in his face. They wanted a dog who could convey sadness and happiness, much like a seasoned actor would. And Bing does just that—his eyes reflect the heartache and joy of his character.

On a recent spring day, Bing was spotted doing media rounds around Manhattan, attending interviews and photo shoots for the film. His owner, Beverly Klingensmith, moved him around the city, joking that his media schedule was far more demanding than his human co-stars. In fact, during Q&A sessions, every time Bing moved, the audience would coo in unison, prompting Murray to joke, “I told them not to bring out the dog yet!”

As a self-proclaimed “dog person,” Bill Murray has always believed that dogs have an uncanny ability to read people. “Dogs have a pretty good sense of who’s OK,” Murray muses. “I’ve met many thousands of people, and there’s a real high number I wouldn’t trust. But as far as dogs, there’s maybe only been, like, three.” For Murray, a dog’s loyalty and perceptiveness are qualities to admire—and Bing has those qualities in spades.

The filmmakers, Scott McGehee and David Siegel, knew Bing was the perfect fit for the role the moment they met him. After an exhaustive nationwide search, they discovered Bing and his owner, Klingensmith, in Des Moines, Iowa. “We kind of knew right away,” McGehee recalls. The pandemic delayed production, but Bing’s maturation during that time was a blessing in disguise. By the time filming began, he was the perfect age for the role.

McGehee compares Bing to a Hollywood heartthrob, saying, “If you see George Clooney in person, it’s like he attracts light in a special way. Bing has that.”

Bing’s journey to the big screen was no accident—he trained diligently for the role, thanks to the guidance of trainer Bill Berloni. Though Klingensmith was initially unaware of the full scope of the publicity blitz, she soon saw how much Bing loved being part of the process. “He loves to do things. The days where he had really active behaviors were his favorites,” she says. After all, what dog doesn’t enjoy spending all day with their favorite human?

For Watts, working with Bing was a delight. The film focuses heavily on the dynamic between Iris and Apollo, with much of the film unfolding through their interactions. Bing’s expressiveness was key in conveying the emotional depth of the story. Watts recalls, “He was a very curious dog, and he did really look at you with attention. I found him a pure delight to work with.”

As the film’s star, Bing performs with an authenticity that even Murray finds impressive. “The dog gives an amazing performance,” Murray exclaims. “When I first saw some of the cut footage, I realized the dog had been listening to everything that’s going on in every scene. The dog’s reactions to what’s happening in the scene are better than many actors or actresses I’ve worked with.”

This brings up a question many viewers might ponder: Can dogs act? The Friend certainly makes a compelling case for it. Bing’s reactions to his co-stars’ emotions are as nuanced and powerful as any human actor’s, and that’s what makes the film so special.

As with many dog-centered movies, there’s always concern about the fate of the four-legged star. The Friend plays with this tradition, assuring audiences early on that—unlike in the book—Apollo survives the journey. “Very early on, we were like, ‘We cannot kill the dog,’” McGehee laughs.

For a movie about navigating grief, The Friend offers one important concession: the dog makes it. This is a small but significant gesture, providing comfort to those who have experienced loss, whether of a pet or a person. “People have lost dogs and felt like this. People have lost people and felt like this, and their only solace has been a dog,” Murray reflects. “The movie really bangs on both sides of the animal kingdom.”

In the end, The Friend isn’t just about the human characters’ journey through grief—it’s also about the power of animal companionship and the healing that comes from the unconditional love of a very good boy.

Source: AP News – ‘The Friend’: When the star of the movie is a very good boy

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