I'm Still Here

I'm Still Here is a 2010 American mockumentary parody film directed by Casey Affleck, and written by Affleck and Joaquin Phoenix. The film follows the real life of Phoenix from the announcement of his retirement from acting through his transition into a career as a hip hop artist. Throughout the filming period, Phoenix remained in character for public appearances, giving many the impression that he was genuinely pursuing a new career. Premise In 2008, while rehearsing for a charity event, actor Joaquin Phoenix, with Casey Affleck's camera filming, tells people he is quitting acting to pursue a career in rap music. Over the next year, Phoenix writes, rehearses, and performs to an audience. He approaches Sean Combs in hopes he will produce the record. We see Phoenix in his home: he parties, smokes, engages in depravity with his two-man entourage, debates philosophy with Affleck, and rants about celebrity. Cast Release The film premiered at the 67th Venice International Film Festival on September 6, 2010. It had a limited release in the United States on September 10, 2010 before being expanded to a wide release a week later on September 17. Although widely suspected to be a "mockumentary", the fact that the events of the film had been deliberately staged was not disclosed until after the film had been released.