Twenty years after the film's release, a companion piece entitled My Own Private River was created by James Franco and consisted of many never-before-seen footage of River Phoenix. The film received screenings in Los Angeles, New York, London and Munich and it was available to buy in a book of Franco's work called Moving Pictures/Moving Sculptures.
The film, however, has never been released for mass distribution.
Franco has stated that "New Line Cinema, who made the original film, doesn't want a version that's going to compete with their sales."
I have created this petition in the hope of showing New Line Cinema that My Own Private River should not be viewed as competition to My Own Private Idaho. We, the fans of River Phoenix and My Own Private Idaho (and also Gus Van Sant, Keanu Reeves and James Franco), hope to show that there is a huge demand for this film to receive a proper release.
Through the large number of signatures, we hope to show that many, many people are desperate to see My Own Private River and want to see this film released either on DVD or on Video-On-Demand. We believe that there would be a considerable number of sales for this film, and as a result, a resurge in sales, not a decline, for My Own Private Idaho as many would discover the original film as a result of viewing this companion piece.
Please sign the petition if you too believe that My Own Private River should be released for all to see!
Thank you for your support.
Lynsey
http://mysocalleddream.tumblr.com
*IMPORTANT UPDATE*
I received an email from the producer of My Own Private Idaho and it has brought to my attention that the Phoenix family has not given their consent for a release of My Own Private River. This may be the actual issue as to why New Line Cinema has not been able to release MOPR. It may not be due to sales of MOPI.
I am now reluctant to continue with this petition if it is against the wishes of the Phoenix family.
Please read the full discussion about this on my tumblr for more information about this update.
Thank you again to everyone for your support and help with the petition up to this stage! It has been a great show of love for River.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
April 1, 2015
Reached 100 supporters
November 12, 2014
390 Comments
I have signed this petition as a true fan of River Phoenix, but if the release of MOPR is not something that the Phoenix family want, I will not further push this release.
The world suffered a tragedy with the untimely death of River Phoenix. To prevent the release of this film would be an insufferable loss to the untold fans craving to see it. New Line would also lose out on the re-interest this would generate in the original My Own Private Idaho.
To New Line: I already own the newer Criterion Collection set of the original movie, which took forever to be released. Prior to that set, one could not buy a copy of the movie. So, tell me again, how will this release cut into New Line's sales of the original, when New Line didn't make it available in the first place?
I would definitely purchase this and I think it would be a shame to withhold this piece of cinematic and American history from the public. We are passionate about the arts and I personally consider this a piece of history. Please release this for sale so we can make sure that it is not lost in the sands of time. Thank you.
i hope this is released one day because river deserves to be seen at the height of his talent, as do his fans, my own private idaho is a modern classic for a reason, and this new edition could only benefit the esteme held for idaho, as well as its sales.
I really really really want to see more of River Phoenix’s art
I live for this! This movie is my favorite ever. It leaves me hopeful and broken every time.
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Twenty years after the film's release, a companion piece entitled My Own Private River was created by James Franco and consisted of many never-before-seen footage of River Phoenix. The film received screenings in Los Angeles, New York, London and Munich and it was available to buy in a book of Franco's work called Moving Pictures/Moving Sculptures.
The film, however, has never been released for mass distribution.
Franco has stated that "New Line Cinema, who made the original film, doesn't want a version that's going to compete with their sales."
I have created this petition in the hope of showing New Line Cinema that My Own Private River should not be viewed as competition to My Own Private Idaho. We, the fans of River Phoenix and My Own Private Idaho (and also Gus Van Sant, Keanu Reeves and James Franco), hope to show that there is a huge demand for this film to receive a proper release.
Through the large number of signatures, we hope to show that many, many people are desperate to see My Own Private River and want to see this film released either on DVD or on Video-On-Demand. We believe that there would be a considerable number of sales for this film, and as a result, a resurge in sales, not a decline, for My Own Private Idaho as many would discover the original film as a result of viewing this companion piece.
Please sign the petition if you too believe that My Own Private River should be released for all to see!
Thank you for your support.
Lynsey
http://mysocalleddream.tumblr.com
*IMPORTANT UPDATE*
I received an email from the producer of My Own Private Idaho and it has brought to my attention that the Phoenix family has not given their consent for a release of My Own Private River. This may be the actual issue as to why New Line Cinema has not been able to release MOPR. It may not be due to sales of MOPI.
I am now reluctant to continue with this petition if it is against the wishes of the Phoenix family.
Please read the full discussion about this on my tumblr for more information about this update.
Thank you again to everyone for your support and help with the petition up to this stage! It has been a great show of love for River.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
April 1, 2015
Reached 100 supporters
November 12, 2014
390 Comments
River was, hands down and even at such a young age, the best actor of his generation. I've heard some criticize the release of all this footage as not representative of the final work but really, every, little clip could've been part of an entirely, separate movies, he was that good.
I have signed this petition as a true fan of River Phoenix, but if the release of MOPR is not something that the Phoenix family want, I will not further push this release.
The world suffered a tragedy with the untimely death of River Phoenix. To prevent the release of this film would be an insufferable loss to the untold fans craving to see it. New Line would also lose out on the re-interest this would generate in the original My Own Private Idaho.
To New Line: I already own the newer Criterion Collection set of the original movie, which took forever to be released. Prior to that set, one could not buy a copy of the movie. So, tell me again, how will this release cut into New Line's sales of the original, when New Line didn't make it available in the first place?
I would definitely purchase this and I think it would be a shame to withhold this piece of cinematic and American history from the public. We are passionate about the arts and I personally consider this a piece of history. Please release this for sale so we can make sure that it is not lost in the sands of time. Thank you.
i hope this is released one day because river deserves to be seen at the height of his talent, as do his fans, my own private idaho is a modern classic for a reason, and this new edition could only benefit the esteme held for idaho, as well as its sales.
I really really really want to see more of River Phoenix’s art
I live for this! This movie is my favorite ever. It leaves me hopeful and broken every time.
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River was, hands down and even at such a young age, the best actor of his generation. I've heard some criticize the release of all this footage as not representative of the final work but really, every, little clip could've been part of an entirely, separate movies, he was that good.