A fictionalized biography of the titular artist as a self-destructive young man tracing his up and downward trajectories.

Called the Jimi Hendrix of the Art World, Jean-Michel Basquiat electrified his contemporaries and meteorically shot through the New York stage, dying with the eighties of a drug overdose. Based on real life, Lech Majewski’s story reconstructs the fate of one of the most rebellious artists of our times, and serves as a base for Julian Schnabel’s feature.

with Jeffrey Wright, Benicio del Toro, David Bowie, Dennis Hopper, Claire Forlani, Courtney Love, Tatum O’Neal, Parker Posey, Willem Dafoe, Gary Oldman, Paul Bartel directed by Julian Schnabel written by Julian Schnabel from a story by Lech Majewski producers Peter Brant, Joseph Allen, Jon Kilik, Lech Majewski, Sigurjon Sighvatsson, Randy Ostrow director of photography Ron Fortunato, music John Cale, P.J. Harvey, Pogues, Joy Division, Toadies, Public Image Ltd., Grand Master Flash, Gavin Friday, Brian Kelly, David Bowie, Tom Waits.

PRIZES:

Prix spécial du Jury, Venice, 1996

REVIEWS:

“Julian Schnabel’s Basquiat based on a story by Lech Majewski is a successful  effort against great odds to turn potentially precious subject into an accessible movie.”
Andrew Sarris, The New York Times

“An incredibly cool cast!…David Bowie is perfect!”
Cathleen McGuigan, Jeanne Wolf, Newsweek

“Explosive! Basquiat will make sparks fly!”
Ingrid Sischy, Interview Magazine

“Fascinating! An accomplished and engrossing spectacle!”
Owen Gleibermann, Entertainment Weekly

“An exceptional film!”
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone Magazine

“Basquiat defies expectations!”
Bob Colacello, Vanity Fair

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