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.

Cast

Jean-Michel Basquiat

as Jean (archive footage)

Saul Williams

as Jean's Narration (voice)

Anna Shroeder

as Beatrice

Debbie Harry

as Fairy Godmother

Giorgio Giomelsky

as Landlord

Coati Mundi

as Self

Debi Mazar

as Peppermint Lounge Dancer

George Quinones

as Graffiti Artist

Walter Steding

as Self

Steven Brown

as Self - Vocals, Tuxedomoon

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