Artist News

Joaquin Phoenix documentary not a joke, says director

By | Published on Tuesday 7 September 2010

There has been much speculation about the authenticity of Casey Affleck’s documentary following fellow actor (and Affleck’s brother-in-law) Joaquin Phoenix as he attempts to break into the world of hip hop ever since it was announced. And no less so now that the film has been completed and screened at the Venice Film Festival.

Phoenix announced his intention to turn his back on acting and become a rapper in an interview with David Letterman last year. Since then his story has made headlines on numerous occasions, including when he attacked a heckler during a live performance, an incident that makes it into the film.

Speaking to reporters after the film’s screening yesterday, Affleck said: “I can tell you that there is no hoax. That never even entered into my consciousness until other people began to talk about the movie. I’m very interested to hear those sorts of reactions and I appreciate that point of view, and I understand how a lot of this movie could be confusing in terms of, ‘oh well, it seems like something’s real or not real'”.

Amongst the stars who also appear in the movie is Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, who agrees to listen to Phoenix’s demo, before refusing to work with him. Asked whether, if nothing else, this scene was staged, Affleck said: “The role that [Combs] played in Joaquin’s life was to be the bearer of bad news. He was the hammer that crushed the dream. All of that is a little bit of an act”.



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