River Phoenix's last film, 'Dark Blood,' to premiere in Miami

MIAMI (AP) -- River Phoenix's last film is making its U.S. premiere at the Miami International Film Festival, 20 years after the young actor's death.

 

"Dark Blood," which also stars Jonathan Pryce and Judy Davis, premiered Wednesday. It's uncertain whether the film will go to a general release as negotiations are ongoing with the company that owns the movie.

 

The film footage sat untouched for decades until an insurance company nearly burned it. Director George Sluizer had it moved to The Netherlands, where it sat for another decade. He decided to finish the movie and narrated missing scenes himself.

 

Phoenix was 23 when he died outside The Viper Room in Los Angeles. The cause was heart failure after overdosing on heroin and cocaine.