Downtown '81

Downtown '81 (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.

star 6.7 6.9 54 79%
  • Release Date: 2001-07-13
  • Runtime: 1h 12min
  • Director: Edo Bertoglio

Where to Watch Downtown '81 Online

You can now watch Downtown '81 online on the following streaming services in the United States.

  • Cast

    • Jean-Michel Basquiat

      Jean (archive footage)

    • Saul Williams

      Jean's Narration (voice)

    • Anna Shroeder

      Beatrice

    • Debbie Harry

      Fairy Godmother

    • Giorgio Giomelsky

      Landlord

    • Coati Mundi

      Self

    • Debi Mazar

      Peppermint Lounge Dancer

    • George Quinones

      Graffiti Artist

    • Walter Steding

      Self

    • Steven Brown

      Self - Vocals, Tuxedomoon

    • Eszter Balint

      Self

    • Kid Creole

      Self - Vocals and Guitar, Kid Creole & The Coconuts

    • Fab 5 Freddy

      Graffiti Artist

    • Arto Lindsay

      Self

    • John Lurie

      Self

    • Michael Holman

      Michael

    • Ted Bafaloukos

      Junk Dealer

    • Elliott Murphy

      Rock Star

    • Amos Poe

      Conversationalist at Mudd Club

    • Lee Quiñones

      Graffiti Artist

    • Chris Stein

      The Felons band member

    • Kool Kyle

      Self - Rapper

    • Cookie Mueller

      2nd Go-Go Dancer

    • Richard Weigand

      Doctor

    • Bradley Field

      Studio Manager

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