Sofia Coppola forThe Hollywood Reporter.Photo:Melodie McDaniel
Melodie McDaniel
Sofia Coppolaknew she found a story she could relate to when she first readPriscilla Presley’s memoir.
“I know from my family what it’s like to be inside a show business family,” added Sofia, who is also cousins with actors Jason Schwartzman and Nicolas Cage.
“I know that growing up, people are looking at you in a different way. And also living in a house with my dad, this big personality, a great artist and a lot of our life revolving around that. And seeing my mom’s life, how she was trying to find her way within his, I could relate to that."
Nicolas Cage, Sofia Coppola and Francis Ford Coppola.Jeff Vespa Archive/WireImage
Jeff Vespa Archive/WireImage
PriscillastarsCailee Spaenyin its title role, whileEuphoriaactorJacob Elordiportray Elvis himself.
Sofia, whose last movie was 2020’sOn the Rocks, toldTHRshe reached out to Priscilla about making the film in early 2021 after contemplating on the memoir.
“Her story was so vivid in my mind and the visuals of that world, Memphis, the ’60s. It’s so American,” she said. “And I always like themes about finding one’s identity and teenage girls growing into adulthood.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Priscilla toldTHRshe has followed Sofia’s work since her Oscar-winning 2003 filmLost in Translation. “I just got who she was and I felt that she could get me,” she said. “I thought, we have different stories but she could understand this better than any writer because she kind of lived it in her own way.”
Priscilla Presley and Sofia Coppola on the cover ofThe Hollywood Reporter.Melodie McDaniel
Sofia acted in a number of her father’s movies growing up, most notably appearing in 1990’sThe Godfather Part IIIas Michael Corleone’s (Al Pacino) daughter Mary. She ultimately transitioned into a career behind the camera beginning with 1999’sThe Virgin Suicides.She once toldInterviewmagazine back in 2000 that she “never really wanted to be an actress.”
“I just did it when my dad asked me to," she said at the time.
Sofia will receive the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures' Visionary Award, recognizing an “artist or scholar whose innovations have advanced the art of cinema” at its third annualAcademy Museum Galain October.
Priscillais in theaters Oct. 27.
source: people.com
