Downtown '81

The film is a day in the life of a young artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat, who needs to raise money to reclaim the apartment from which he has been evicted. He wanders the downtown streets carrying a painting he hopes to sell, encountering friends, whose lives (and performances) we peek into.

Director: Edo Bertoglio

Cast

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean (archive footage)

Saul Williams

Jean's Narration (voice)

A

Anna Shroeder

Beatrice

Debbie Harry

Fairy Godmother

G

Giorgio Giomelsky

Landlord

Coati Mundi

Self

Debi Mazar

Peppermint Lounge Dancer

G

George Quinones

Graffiti Artist