Downtown '81
Synopsis
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.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Official TrailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2019-10-04
Top Cast
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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
Release History & Theatrical Window
Titanic International Filmpresence Festival
Festival / Special Debut
July 13, 2001
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Edo Bertoglio
- Screenplay & Story
- Glenn O'Brien
- Original Score
- Vincent Gallo
- Original Title
- Downtown '81
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- Japanese, Mandarin, English, Spanish
- Runtime
- 1h 12m
- Production Studios
- New York Beat Films
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Edo Bertoglio
Glenn O'Brien
Vincent Gallo
John McNulty
Pamela French
Maripol
Department Leadership Roster
Edo Bertoglio
Director
Glenn O'Brien
Writer
Maripol
Producer
John McNulty
Director of Photography
Vincent Gallo
Original Music Composer
Pamela French
Editor
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Downtown '81.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Downtown '81.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Downtown '81
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Downtown '81 about?
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.
Who directed Downtown '81?
Downtown '81 was directed by Edo Bertoglio.
Who stars in Downtown '81?
The principal cast of Downtown '81 includes Jean-Michel Basquiat, Saul Williams, Anna Shroeder, Debbie Harry, Giorgio Giomelsky.
When was Downtown '81 released and how long is it?
Downtown '81 was released in 2001 with a total runtime of 1h 12m.
Who composed the musical score for Downtown '81?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Downtown '81 was composed by Vincent Gallo.