Basic Info
Title:
Downtown 81
Genre:
Drama
Country:
United States
Language:
English
Running
time: 72 minutes
Release date: 2000
Staff
Director:
Edo Bertoglio
Produced by: Glenn O'Brien
Screenplay: Glenn O'Brien
Cinematography:
John McNulty
Music:
Vincent Gallo
Editor: Pamela French
Cast
Jean Michel Basquiat as Jean
Anna Schroeder as Béatrice
Anne Carlisle as Fashion Show Model
Debbie Harry as Fairy Godmother
Kid Creole as Self
Eszter Balint as Fashion Show Model
Elliott Murphy as Rock Star
Fab 5 Freddy as Graffiti Artist
Summary
"Downtown 81" is a 2000
American film, which was shot in 1980-1981.
Directed by Edo Bertoglio and
written and produced by Glenn O'Brien, the film shows a rare real-life snapshot
of ultra-hip subculture during the post-punk era in Manhattan, starring famous
artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.
The film begins with Jean
(Basquiat) in a hospital due to illness. After checking out the hospital, he
meets Beatrice (Anna Schroeder), a mysterious woman who drives around in a
convertible. Jean arrives at his apartment, but discovers that his landlord,
played by former Yardbirds manager Giorgio Gomelsky, is trying to get him out.
Afterwards, trying to sell his art work, he encounters many New York characters such as musician Arto Lindsay and his band DNA, David McDermott, and graffiti artists Lee Quiñones and Fab Five Freddy.
Jean eventually sells some of his art work to a wealthy middle-aged woman who is interested in more than just his art, but she pays for the work with a check. As the film progresses, he wanders the streets of New York City in search of Beatrice. He sees performances by Kid Creole and the Coconuts and James White and the Blacks.
Finally, he meets a woman (Debbie Harry) who turns into a princess when he kisses her, and she gives him a stack of cash as a reward.
Movie
Review
“A portrait of a lost
time”
“A snapshot of 1981
Post-Punk, New-Wave Manhattan”
“Absolutely fascinating”
“Great Film for Those of Would Care”
Interesting
stories about the film
1. Since 1981, Glenn O'Brien had possession of all of the live musical performance recordings in the film, but unfortunately the original voice soundtrack was lost in Italy. The producers were able to re-dub most of the original cast. However, because Jean Michel Basquiat died in 1988, Saul Williams dubbed Basquiat's dialogue instead.
2. In 1981, the post-production and release of the film was banned due to a political scandal that affected the Italian production company. After that, after trying many petitions to the Italian courts, post-production finally began in 1999 and made its debut at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.
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