The brief and brilliant story of Jean-Michel Basquiat is brought to vivid life in Julian Schnabel’s (THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY) tribute to the acclaimed artist, played with sensitivity and style by Jeffery Wright (AMERICAN FICTION). Charting Basquiat’s trajectory from homeless graffiti artist to darling of the New York art scene in the ’70s and ’80s, BASQUIAT artfully celebrates the unique talent of the young painter, as well as his personal demons and profound drug addiction. With an all-star cast that includes Benicio Del Toro, Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, Courtney Love, Willem Dafoe, Christopher Walken, and David Bowie as Andy Warhol, BASQUIAT is an evocative and reverent portrait, newly restored in black and white, made from a 4K scan from the original camera negative. Film Center exclusive. 

Awards & Nominations

Winner - Best Supporting Male (Benicio Del Toro), Film Independent Spirit Awards
Nominee - Best Debut Performance (Jeffrey Wright), Film Independent Spirit Awards
Nominee - Golden Lion, Venice Film Festival

The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu