Here’s one of those strange films that makes the list even though it’s not exactly “Black Cinema”.
Basquiat is a 1996 film directed by Julian Schnabel which is based on the life of American postmodernist/neo expressionist artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Basquiat, born in Brooklyn, used his graffiti roots as a foundation to create collage-style paintings on canvas.
Jeffrey Wright portrays Basquiat, and David Bowie plays Basquiat’s friend and mentor Andy Warhol. Additional cast include Gary Oldman as a thinly disguised Schnabel, Michael Wincott as the poet and art critic Rene Ricard; Dennis Hopper as Bruno Bischofberger; Claire Forlani, Courtney Love and Benicio del Toro in supporting roles as “composite characters”.
LOVE THIS movie!
I never heard of this one but now I'm quite intrigued. What an interesting cast!
Not the best interpretation of the period of Basquiat's life it attempts to capture. A noble effort by Schnabel, but, it falls short IMHO. I'd suggest watching a documentary on Basquiat if one really wants to know about the man; but, sadly, I can't think of a single documentary with him as its core subject, which I find quite odd! Doesn't mean one doesn't exist, however.
So, reading a biography might have to suffice, with the movie treated more like an addendum.
However, I think his short life is one that is due for a proper celluloid retelling.