As any of you who have seen director Michael Winterbottom’s divisive, Alba-Bashing flop The Killer Inside Me will attest to, Casey Affleck is one cool motherfucker. Desperate to keep his suave-as cult reputation alive, Casey has chosen his next project wisely. I’m Still Here, a mockumentary mockmenting the lost year of Joaquin Phoenix, will be Affleck’s directorial début. Maybe it’s a little premature to use the term mockumentary when for all I know Phoenix’s well publicised fall from grace, in which the actor quit his day job in order to peruse a career as an MC, is as genuine as his portrayal of J-Cash in ‘Walk the Line’. But for now I’m gonna say elaborate hoax.
One thing however that is making me doubt myself is a recent report in the Los Angeles Times, which puzzles over the real/not real debate. John Horn, who wrote the piece, met with film distributors who have seen a raw cut of the picture and they admit that they have no fucking idea. But what threw me off most was the content we’re promised. (I have to say it does sound convincing.)
“The film overflowed with Hollywood debauchery, including more male frontal nudity than you’d find in some gay porn films and a stomach-turning sequence in which someone feuding with Phoenix defecates on the actor while he’s asleep”
Yummy eh?!?! All in all I think the scepticism surrounding the authenticity of the film’s content will make it all the more compelling as a viewing experience. And with Joaquin reportedly ’snorting cocaine, ordering call girls, having oral sex with a publicist, treating his assistants abusively and rapping badly.’ I’m sure there will be plenty to talk about once the credits roll.
With sex, shit and (maybe some high concept) satire, ‘I’m Still Here’ sounds promising. In an age where it takes some seriously fucked up shit to shock people, the movie seems totally zeitgeisty. Though provocative as it sounds, I’m sure when it is finally released (September 10th in the US) most of you hipsters-in-the-know will only be concerned with its placing on Ultra Culture’s patented Daily Mail sick-flith-o-meter. I’m gonna start the bets off by guessing a 9.
Additional info: A teaser trailer has just been released and it’s fucking class. Jokey-pretentious monologues FTW!
I’ve also read that director Casey Affleck is being sued for sexual harassment by the film’s female producer and cinematographer. Oh Casey you charmer you.