Downtown '81

Overview

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)

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Anna Shroeder

Beatrice

Debbie Harry

Fairy Godmother

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Giorgio Giomelsky

Landlord

Coati Mundi

Self

Debi Mazar

Peppermint Lounge Dancer

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George Quinones

Graffiti Artist

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Walter Steding

Self

Steven Brown

Self - Vocals, Tuxedomoon