Downtown '81 (2001)

Downtown '81 is a vibrant, pulsating day-long journey into the life of Jean Michel Basquiat, a burgeoning artist on the brink of recognition. Plunged into the dazzling labyrinth of downtown streets, Basquiat races against time to gather funds and reclaim his evicted apartment. His sole bargaining chip: a single, hopeful painting cradled in his arms, an artistic spark waiting to set the world ablaze. Immersed in the gritty underbelly of the city, we catch tantalizing glimpses into the lives and performances of his eclectic band of friends. The vibrant tapestry of downtown life unfurls, echoing with the fresh beats of hip hop, the defiant strokes of graffiti, and the bold hues of new wave music and painting, an exhilarating climate of cultural revolution. Eventually, luck favors our young artist when he sells his painting to an affluent admirer, only to be paid by cheque, leaving him cash-strapped in the city that never sleeps. As night falls, he embarks on a quest through a neon-lit maze of clubs, in search of a captivating girl he had met earlier, his only hope for a haven for the night. Downtown '81 is not just a film; it's an intoxicating, rhythmic tour through the early stages of Basquiat's journey towards fame. It's a vibrant snapshot of a transformative era in American culture, a living, breathing testament to the birth of new artistic movements at the cusp of the 20th century.

Downtown '81 is a comedy movie featuring Jean-Michel Basquiat and directed by Edo Bertoglio.

Downtown '81 is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Metrograph.

It is also possible to buy Downtown '81 on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Kino Now, Vudu and YouTube.