I'm Still Here trailer/Synopsis

Magnolia Pictures will release Casey Affleck's long-rumored documentary, titled "I'm Still Here: The Lost Year of Joaquin Phoenix," in September, Deadline.com reports.

The film was shot by Affleck, who is also Phoenix's brother-in-law, during the actor's highly publicized meltdown two years ago.

In October 2008, the two-time Oscar nominee and "Walk the Line" star announced he was retiring from acting. Weeks later he emerged bearded and spacey to announce he planned to pursue a career as a hip-hop artist.

Though the 35-year-old's public break down was rumored to be an elaborate hoax, the film is being released as a documentary, not a mockumentary. Affleck was on hand with a camera to capture Phoenix's down fall, the most famous incident being when he appeared a shambling, bearded mess on "The Late Show With David Letterman" to promote his film "Two Lovers."

"No matter what I thought coming in, I came out feeling this was a pretty amazing piece of work, jaw dropping but dimensional," Magnolia president Eamonn Bowles told Deadline. "It is a unique piece of work that is going to surprise people in different ways."

The film, due out September 10, depicts Phoenix in various states of depravity. In one reported scene, Phoenix snorts cocaine off the breast of a stripper.

Despite the shocking subject matter, it was Affleck's filmmaking style that sold Bowles on the film.

"It is extreme behavior," Bowles conceded, "But really good filmmaking as well."

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