02/08/2012 - Dutch director George Sluizer has finished his 1993 film Dark Blood, which was abandoned because of the sudden death of star River Phoenix

The US-set film Dark Blood from Dutch director George Sluizer will have its premiere at the Netherlands Film Festival in Utrecht on 27 September.

What is unusual about the film is that is went into production in 1993 and was subsequently halted because the star of the film, American actor River Phoenix (photo), died of a drug overdose during filming.

Shot mainly in Utah and also starring Judy Davis, Jonathan Pryce and Karen Black, the apocalyptic-sounding Dark Blood tells the story of Boy (Phoenix), who has become withdrawn after his wife died from radiation sickness and has relocated to the desert.

A stranded Hollywood couple, Harry and Buffy, come into contact with Boy and he decides to kidnap the pair, because he wants Buffy and hopes to be able to make the world a better place alongside her.

The 1993 production was produced by British outfit Scala Productions Ltd and the US arm of Fine Line Features. The 2012 editing and post-production were done by Sluizer Films, with backing from the Netherlands Film Fund.

The Netherlands Film Festival will not only show Dark Blood but also showcase works from the entire career of the 80-year-old filmmaker, including his Dutch, European and US films (he famously remade his most well-known film, the mystery Spoorloos, in the US as The Vanishing with Sandra Bullock).

A Dutch-language book about his life and career will also be presented during the festival.

The Netherlands Film Festival runs 26 September-5 October in the city of Utrecht.