Basquiat (1996)

1996, 106 minutes, 35mm, R
USA

Language: English

Director: Julian Schnabel

Basquiat tells the story of the meteoric rise of youthful artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Starting out as a street artist, living in Thompkins Square Park in a cardboard box, Jean-Michel is “discovered” by Andy Warhol’s art world and becomes a star. But success has a high price, and Basquiat pays with friendship, love, and eventually, his life.

“Most movies stress the agony of art (think of Kirk Douglas’ Van Gogh in Lust for Life). Schnabel’s exceptional film honors his friend by showing the act of creation as a natural high.” – Peter Travers, Rolling Stone