Downtown '81
2001The 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.
Acted in
Jean-Michel Basquiat
as Jean (archive footage)
Saul Williams
as Jean's Narration (voice)
Anna Shroeder
as Beatrice
Debbie Harry
as Fairy Godmother
Giorgio Giomelsky
as Landlord
Coati Mundi
as Self
Debi Mazar
as Peppermint Lounge Dancer
George Quinones
as Graffiti Artist
Walter Steding
as Self
Steven Brown
as Self - Vocals, Tuxedomoon
Eszter Balint
as Self
Kid Creole
as Self - Vocals and Guitar, Kid Creole & The Coconuts
Fab 5 Freddy
as Graffiti Artist
Arto Lindsay
as Self
John Lurie
as Self
Michael Holman
as Michael
Ted Bafaloukos
as Junk Dealer
Elliott Murphy
as Rock Star
Amos Poe
as Conversationalist at Mudd Club
Lee Quiñones
as Graffiti Artist
Chris Stein
as The Felons band member
Kool Kyle
as Self - Rapper
Cookie Mueller
as 2nd Go-Go Dancer
Richard Weigand
as Doctor
Bradley Field
as Studio Manager