Dark Blood

Dark Blood
River Phoenix in a scene from Dark Blood
Directed by	George Sluizer
Produced by	Daniel Lupi Jeannie Neill Nik Powell JoAnne Sellar Stephen Woolley
Written by	Jim Barton
Starring	River Phoenix Judy Davis Jonathan Pryce
Cinematography	Edward Lachman
Editing by	Martin Walsh
Release date(s)	2012
Country	United States
Language	English

Dark Blood is an unfinished 1993 film directed by George Sluizer, written by Jim Barton, and starring River Phoenix, Jonathan Pryce, and Judy Davis. In 2011, it was announced that director George Sluizer plans to release the film in 2012.^[1] While at first it was reported that Phoenix's family would be involved in the release, this has been denied by representatives for the Phoenix family.^[2]

Synopsis

Phoenix played Boy, a youthful widower who lives as a hermit on a nuclear testing site, waiting for the Addedend of the world while making dolls that he believes have magical powers. He comes to the aid of a couple (played by Pryce and Davis) when their car breaks down as they are traveling through the desert.

Production

The film was never completed due to River Phoenix's death on October 31, 1993. With eleven more days of production scheduled, it was abandoned. Because the movie could not be finished, producers attempted to sue his mother for $6m, claiming Phoenix had not declared his drug use. The case later collapsed.^[3] The film has had new edits and adjustments and will finally be released in 2012. One of the changes is the use of voiceover, for which the director plans to ask River Phoenix’s younger brother Joaquin Phoenix to help as the brothers "sound alike".^[4]

Legacy

The existing footage is owned by George Sluizer, best known as director of The Vanishing. He hinted that he intended to use it in a documentary about Phoenix's life. In an interview with Sluizer, some raw footage of Phoenix in Dark Blood is featured.^{[citation needed]} This is the last released footage of River Phoenix, and the only part of the film made public. It was reported that Judy Davis and River Phoenix clashed on set.

Future

In an October 11 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, director George Sluizer stated he plans to recut the footage and release the film in 2012.

References

1. ^ http://www.filmofilia.com/river-phoenixs-final-movie-dark-blood-to-be-soon-released-74791/
2. ^ http://www.ifc.com/news/2011/10/river-phoenix-dark-blood-family-participation.php
3. ^ BBC news
4. ^ Slash Film Article October 19, 2011

External links

• Dark Blood at the Internet Movie Database
• Raw footage of River Phoenix in Dark Blood