Jean-Michel Basquiat: Radiant Child

I knew nothing of this artist except having seen his work hanging in an art museum. This documentary tells his story from childhood through his death. One thing I didn't like was a fair amount of narration was done via subtitle not auditory and the words flashed up too fast and went away too quickly. This includes footage shot by a friend who was an amateur filmmaker, this footage was put away upon his death, and not looked at until years later. The movie incudes showing a lot of his finished pieces, I wish the shots of that were longer, it went too fast. This is worth a rewatch for a second or third time. SInce his death was related to depression and drug addiction those topics are covered. I found the discussion and issues relating to the propping up of an Afircan American artist in the post-CIvil Rights era interesting with the issue of what happens when a person rises to quick fame and then society moves on to the next celebrity of the year, not unlike the plight of so many child actors and today's one hit wonder pop stars...how do they adjust and go on after living the high life when their work is no longer receiving accolades. So there is more here than eye candy artwork and creative inspiration, it's also a tragic tale and one that reveals the celebrity culture that is actually an even bigger issue today than it was in the 1980s and even the 1990s. Rated 5 stars = I Love It.

This documentary is a video memorial for an incredible artist. How wonderful that the film maker had kept informal interviews with Basquiat, and used them to give us a more complete understanding of who he was, behind the media hype.I became aware of his art just a few years ago, I'm ashamed to say. But when I saw his work, it was like Emily Dickinson's definition of poetry. At the time, I had no idea who Basquiat was, and thought he was possibly a contemporary of Miro, or even Gorky. But, as much as I love Miro, Basquiat's works are more accessible. The use of language adds a whole different sphere and depth to his works.The film also demonstrates, in a fairly straightforward way, how brutal the art world, and fame, can be. We lose so many spectacularly talented people because of it. Joplin, Hendrix, Morrison, Basquiat, all died at the age of 27. Yes, drug use, but there is something pushing them, an escape from a world that becomes too much to bear.One very striking element was the story of Michael Stewart. How relevant to today, and what a weight that put on Basquiat, as it must on all people of color. An artist, a black artist, beaten by police for vandalism, dead from a beating by police. All officers acquitted.Some have remarked about the images going by too fast. I also felt that way, but watching through streaming on Prime, I kept stopping, going back ten seconds, then pausing on a particular art work. That helped to be able to absorb as much as I could, through a screen. I will be watching this again. And again.

He is my favorite artist and I can watch this over and over again!! It's so informative and sets the vibe for his art and time.

The true tragedy of Jean-Michel Basquiat is that he became so famous at such a young age. I feel sorry for anyone whose talent springs forth perfectly in their twenties. To endure the pressures of fame, sudden massive financial gain and attention at a time when you, personally, are just beginning your entry into adult life, would be overwhelming. In your twenties, you simply don't have the wisdom to navigate the shoals of becoming. It's not easy being green.

Jean-Michel Basquiat lived a short life and painted prolifically during his brief and brilliant career at a unique period in the "art world" of New York during the late 70s to early 80s.He rose to meteoric fame and became a darling of the "industry" and at the same time was side-lined and viewed as an outsider. He was the quintessential scribe for his time, and his work is incredibly loose and lucid at the same time.This film contains mainly interviews with personal friends and associates, and with the painter himself, and (best of all) film of him painting.This provides clearer insight into his mind, challenges and influences, and brought me a much wider and deeper appreciation of his work and his development as a painter. His strongest work, in my opinion is his later work, and after watching this, it is even more real than ever that his contribution is unequalled.We are left with the feeling that although afflicted, his short life burned brightly with an unusual luminosity that is rare and leaves us feeling that he was indeed (possibly) the most influential painter of the 21st century.I will see this again and again.

This is an achingly beautiful film about an extraordinary artist. I felt completely drawn into the time and place: NYC in the late 70s and on into the 80s when Basquiat was producing his work. I only recently discovered this artist--I don't know how I missed him!!--, and being a huge fan of abstract expressionism, I was instantly drawn to his art. One commentator in the film puts it very well: Basquiat challeneged us to analyse our culture anew through his brilliant and intuitive combination of elements, his use of language and his originality.What most impressed me was Basquiat's authenticity: it seemed impossible for him to put on different social faces. He was sincerely himself at all times--wide open, vulnerable, honest, angelic. I cried at the end of the film because he wasn't able to survive the terrible twenties (he died at age 27) and for all the extraordinary beauty that he created.

Shows the rise and fall of a young genius who perished far too early in life.