Downtown '81

Downtown '81

72 mins | Drama, Comedy, Music | July 13, 2001

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.

Downtown '81

72 mins | Drama, Comedy, Music | July 13, 2001

Downtown '81
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.
IMDb rating 6.9
Producers New York Beat Films
Original title Downtown '81
Directors Edo Bertoglio
Writers Glenn O'Brien

Cast

Saul Williams

as Jean's Narration (voice)

Anna Shroeder

as Beatrice

Debbie Harry

as Fairy Godmother

Giorgio Giomelsky

as Landlord

Coati Mundi

as Himself

Debi Mazar

as Peppermint Lounge Dancer

George Quinones

as Graffiti Artist

Walter Steding

as Himself

Steven Brown

as Himself

Eszter Balint

as Himself

Kid Creole

as August Darnell

Fab 5 Freddy

as Graffiti Artist

Arto Lindsay

as Himself

John Lurie

as Himself

Michael Holman

as Michael

Vincent Gallo

as Himself

Ted Bafaloukos

as Junk Dealer

Elliott Murphy

as Rock Star

Amos Poe

as Conversationalist at Mudd Club

Lee QuiƱones

as Graffiti Artist

Chris Stein

as The Felons band member

Kool Kyle

as Himself - Rapper

Cookie Mueller

as 2nd Go-Go Dancer

Richard Weigand

as Doctor

Bradley Field

as Studio Manager