The Scene

Last Film of River Phoenix to Hit U.S. Screens

Published on Tuesday, January 15 2013
Written by Katie Marzullo
 
If you’re planning on being in South Florida at the beginning of March, you might wanna get on this.
 
For the first time in 20 years, I get to utter the words “The latest River Phoenix film will soon make its U.S debut.” Alas, it’s also his last.
 
Back in May, I told y’all about how director George Sluizer had rescued his unfinished film, Dark Blood, from oblivion and set about making a final cut suitable for a theatre release. The film happened to be the last thing that River Phoenix ever shot before his tragic death on the footsteps of the Viper Room on the Sunset Strip 20 years ago this October. Sluizer was successful in his endeavor, and the film was screened for the first time this past fall at the Dutch Film Festival. Now, it’s set to hit American screens during the upcoming Miami International Film Festival.
 
For those of us who remember River in his heyday firsthand, this is exciting news. Here’s hoping that Dark Blood draws a distributor which will allow it to be shown in theatres nationwide. While many these days are more familiar with River’s little brother, Joaquin (nominated for a Oscar this year for his performance in The Master), it would be great to remind everyone that, before Joaquin, there was River, and he was also an unrivaled talent… gone too soon.
 
 
- Katie Marzullo, YH Staff Editor