[ D e s c r i p t i o n ]
An insider's look at the kinetic New York art world, told through the life story of Jean-Michel Basquiat. A black, 19-year-old graffiti artist who catapulted to superstardom with his controversial paintings, Basquiat rubbed elbows with the likes of Andy Warhol and Julian Schnabel before burning out permanently at the age of 27. Schnabel, himself a celebrated figure in the art world, makes his directing debut.
Shown in competition at the 1996 Venice Film Festival.
Released theatrically in New York City August 9, 1996.
Color by DuArt.
Directorial debut for Julian Schnabel.
Additional cast: Chuck Pfeiffer (Tom Kruger).
Additional credits: Peter Brant, Joseph Allen, Michiyo Yoshizaki (executive producers).
Story developed by Michael Thomas Holman.
At age 19, Jean Michel Basquiat was a poor, struggling graffiti artist. Eight years later, he was one of the most famous, acclaimed painters in the world -- and dead of a heroin overdose.
"Basquiat" details the tumultuous years in between, concentrating on his meteoric rise within Soho's trendy art world. The charismatic but self-destructive Basquiat had his share of personal demons, including his mother's mental illness, and his hatred of middle-class society... which courted and exploited him. The young artist's heroin addiction eventually led to his death, extinguishing a great talent in the process.
"...Schnabel's exceptional film honors his friend by showing the act of creation as a natural high..."
"...A surprisingly voluminous cast of usual suspects from the world of independent cinema..."
"...Fascinating....[Wright] gives a vivid, near-poetic performance..." -- Rating: B+
"...An illustrious cast of terrific actors that includes Benicio Del Toro, Christopher Walken, Dennis Hopper and, probably best of all, David Bowie in a brilliant Warhol impersonation..."
"...As much an evocative thesis on creativity as a sensitive biography of a single artist....This is a bold, often beautiful film..."
Julian Schnabel signed items @ ebay.com (direct link to signed items)
[ C a s t ]
Directed by
Julian Schnabel
Lech Majewski (story) (as Lech J. Majewski) and
John F. Bowe (story)
Julian Schnabel
(in credits order) verified as complete
Jeffrey Wright .... Jean Michel Basquiat
Michael Wincott ....Rene Ricard
Benicio Del Toro .... Benny Dalmau
Claire Forlani .... Gina Cardinale
David Bowie ....
Andy Warhol
Dennis Hopper .... Bruno Bischofberger
Gary Oldman .... Albert Milo
Christopher Walken .... The Interviewer
Willem Dafoe .... The Electrician
Jean-Claude La Marre .... Shenge
Parker Posey .... Mary Boone
Elina Löwensohn ....Annina Nosei
Paul Bartel .... Henry Geldzahler
Courtney Love .... Big Pink
Tatum O'Neal .... Cynthia Kruger
Chuck Pfeiffer .... Tom Kruger (as Chuck Pfeifer)
Rockets Redglare .... Rockets
Esther G. Schnabel .... Esther Milo
Jack Schnabel .... Jack Milo
Lola Schnabel .... Jacqueline Milo
Peter McGough .... Peter McGough
David McDermott .... David McDermott
Michael Chow .... Michael Chow
Stella Schnabel .... Stella Milo
Steven Randazzo .... Giorgio, Maitre D' at Ballato's
Michael Badalucco .... Counterman at Deli
Francis Dumaurier .... Giorgio
Joseph R. Gannascoli .... Guard at Hospital
Hope Clarke .... Matilde
Brian Wright .... Young Jean Michel
Tarmo Urb .... Lech
Denise Burse .... Mary on TV
Robert Alexander .... Band Guy
Vincent Laresca .... Vincent
Nemo .... Nemo
Leonard Jackson .... Jean Michel's Father
David Shelley .... Photographer
Fred Weller .... Frank (as Frederick Weller)
Rene Rivera .... Juan
Sam Rockwell .... Thug
Ron Brice .... Thug
William Seymour .... Mr. Chow's Maitre D'
Richard Butler .... Medieval Villager
Joe Glasco .... Medieval Villager
Steven Parenago .... Medieval Villager
Vladimir Parenago .... Medieval Villager
José Luis Ferrer .... Medieval Villager
Irene Kiss .... Medieval Villager
Richard the Ox .... Medieval Villager
rest of cast listed alphabetically
Vincent Gallo
.... Himself/Party Guest
Julie Araskog .... Julie (uncredited)
Olatz Lopez Garmendia .... Christine (uncredited)
Melody Krell .... Waitress (uncredited)
Linda Larkin .... Fan (uncredited)
Paul Outlaw .... Paul (uncredited)
Produced by
Joseph Allen .... executive producer
Peter Brant .... executive producer
Jon Kilik .... producer
Lech Majewski .... co-producer (as Lech J. Majewski)
Randy Ostrow .... producer
Sigurjon Sighvatsson .... producer
Michiyo Yoshizaki .... executive producer
Original Music by
John Cale
P.J. Harvey (song)
Julian Schnabel
Cinematography by
Ron Fortunato
Film Editing by
Michael Berenbaum
Casting by
Sheila Jaffe
Georgianne Walken
Production Design by
Dan Leigh
Art Direction by
C.J. Simpson
basquiat |
cast | reviews
biography | cv
photo | basquiat | before night falls
frank auerbach |
francis bacon
georg baselitz
|
joseph beuys |
christo
anselm kiefer |
hundertwasser
david hockney |
jasper johns
