TORONTO - Casey Affleck's controversial movie about Joaquin Phoenix's attempt to launch a hip-hop career will screen at next month's Toronto International Film Festival, but organizers are keeping mum about the project.

Whether "I'm Still Here" is a documentary or a staged mockumentary has been the subject of much discussion online, but festival co-director Cameron Bailey refused to categorize the movie.

"Well, I think what Casey's calling it is a portrayal of Joaquin Phoenix and the last couple of years in his life," Bailey said Tuesday.

"I think what he wants to do as the director is to show what Joaquin's been experiencing and the changes he's been going through and leave it to each viewer ... to make their own conclusions from that."

The much-discussed Phoenix flick -- which marks Affleck's directorial debut -- is among a new set of gala films and special presentations unveiled on Tuesday by the festival, which will also include offerings from Oscar-winners Clint Eastwood, Danny Boyle and Dustin Lance Black.

Phoenix caused a sensation last year when he declared his intention to quit acting in favour of music.

A series of bizarre appearances followed, including a memorable guest spot on "Late Show with David Letterman," during which a mumbling Phoenix -- sporting a shaggy beard and sunglasses -- was mostly incomprehensible.

The incident prompted many to wonder if Phoenix's music career was an elaborate put-on in service of a film project from Affleck, who is his brother-in-law.

Buzz about the film hasn't exactly been positive. Details of an advance screening for film buyers were leaked to the L.A. Times, with reports circulating that the film featured more nudity than a pornographic movie and a scene in which another individual defecates on Phoenix while he sleeps.

But Bailey, who called the film "fascinating," warned that viewers' preconceptions about the film are likely to be upended.

"What I can tell you is that if you think you know what the whole last couple of years for Joaquin Phoenix (have been) all about, and you think you have firm conclusions about that, the film is going to throw that wide open again," he said. "Nothing that you take for granted is fixed.

"What I like about the film and what I like about what Casey Affleck does generally, is that he asks questions more than he offers you conclusions. And I think when you finish watching the film, you're going to have to rethink what you may have thought about this actor."



Boyle, meanwhile, will be in Toronto with "127 Hours." Based on a true story, the film stars James Franco as a mountain climber trapped in a Utah canyon.

Boyle was the toast of Toronto two years ago, winning the audience choice award for "Slumdog Millionaire," which went on to nab the Academy Award for best picture.

"It's I think as engaging as 'Slumdog' was, although it's a totally different film in a lot of ways," Bailey said. "We're really interested to see how audiences respond to that."

Black -- the Oscar-winning screenwriter of "Milk" -- will bring "What's Wrong With Virginia," a drama he wrote and directed that stars Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris and Emma Roberts.

Eastwood will debut a new film at TIFF for the first time since 1990, when he was here with "White Hunter Black Heart." The 80-year-old director's "Hereafter" casts Matt Damon as a "blue-collar American who has a special connection to the afterlife."

"It's a beautiful film," Bailey said. "In a way, it's in line with the themes he's been dealing with since 'Unforgiven,' and in a way it takes him a step further.

"And I like that he's still continuing to take new steps as a director. I mean this is a guy who could easily rest on his laurels, and he never does."

Elsewhere, 13-year-old Chloe Moretz ("Kick-Ass") takes centre stage in "Let Me In," an adaptation of the well-loved Swedish cult film/novel "Let the Right One In"; Bill Pullman and Irene Jacob star in Jonathan Nossiter's "Rio Sex Comedy" and Mitch Glazer will premiere "Passion Play," which stars Mickey Rourke, Megan Fox and Bill Murray.

Will Ferrell will headline "Everything Must Go," a debut feature from writer-director Dan Rush. Adapted from a Raymond Carver short story, the dramedy casts Ferrell as a recovering alcoholic who loses his job, wife and home in short order and resorts to a garage sale to survive.

And director Massy Tadjedjin's "Last Night," which casts Keira Knightley and Sam Worthington as a married couple whose devotion is tested during a night apart, will close the festival.

The fest also unveiled its Midnight Madness program, which tends to feature edgier fare.

This year's lineup will include the world premiere of John Carpenter's first movie since 2001, "The Ward." The new thriller takes place in a 1960s mental institution and stars Amber Heard ("Pineapple Express").

The after-dark program will also feature: the James Gunn-directed superhero flick "Super," which stars Liv Tyler, Kevin Bacon and Canadian Ellen Page; Guy Moshe's star-studded actioner "Bunraku," which features Josh Hartnett, Woody Harrelson and Demi Moore and "Vanishing on 7th Street," which finds Hayden Christensen, Thandie Newton and John Leguizamo banding together during a blackout.

International features announced include: "Red Nights," a thriller set in Hong Kong directed by Julien Carbon and Laurent Courtiaud; the Benoit Jacquot-directed French period piece "Deep in the Woods" and Chris Kraus's "The Poll Diaries," set on the Baltic coast on the eve of the First World War.

Istanbul will be the subject of the City to City series, which focuses on the films from and about a certain area. Last year's inaugural version of the program drew controversy for focusing on Tel Aviv.

This year's Toronto International Film Festival runs from Sept. 9 to 19. It opens with "Score: A Hockey Musical" from Toronto director Michael McGowan.

The remainder of the festival's lineup will be announced Aug. 24.

"Believe it or not, there's more to come," Bailey said.