Downtown '81(2001)
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.
Downtown '81 (2001) is a drama, comedy and music film directed by Edo Bertoglio, released on July 13, 2001 with a runtime of 1h 12m. It stars Jean-Michel Basquiat, Saul Williams, Anna Shroeder and Debbie Harry. Viewers rate it 6.7 out of 10 across 32 ratings.
- Director:
- Edo Bertoglio
- Writers:
- Glenn O'Brien
- Producers:
- Maripol
- Cinematographer:
- John McNulty
- Composer:
- Vincent Gallo
- Production:
- New York Beat Films
- Status:
- Released
Downtown '81 (2001) Trailer
Watch the official trailer for Downtown '81 before you stream it.
Downtown '81 Cast & Crew
Main cast
Jean-Michel Basquiat
as Jean (archive footage)
Saul Williams
as Jean's Narration (voice)
- Anna Shroeder
Anna Shroeder
as Beatrice
Debbie Harry
as Fairy Godmother
- Giorgio Giomelsky
Giorgio Giomelsky
as Landlord
Coati Mundi
as Self
Debi Mazar
as Peppermint Lounge Dancer
- George Quinones
George Quinones
as Graffiti Artist
- Walter Steding
Walter Steding
as Self
Steven Brown
as Self - Vocals, Tuxedomoon
Eszter Balint
as Self
Kid Creole
as Self - Vocals and Guitar, Kid Creole & The Coconuts
Key crew
Directed by Edo Bertoglio, written by Glenn O'Brien, produced by Maripol.
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Downtown '81 Reviews & Ratings
Average viewer score of 6.7/10 from 32 ratings.
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Downtown '81 – Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Downtown '81 online?
+
Downtown '81 (2001) is available to stream on Kino Film Collection, and to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. Streaming availability is checked against JustWatch data and can change by region.
Who stars in Downtown '81?
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The main cast of Downtown '81 (2001) includes Jean-Michel Basquiat, Saul Williams, Anna Shroeder, Debbie Harry and Giorgio Giomelsky. The film was directed by Edo Bertoglio. You can see the full cast and crew list, with character names, further up this page.
When was Downtown '81 released?
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Downtown '81 was released on July 13, 2001 and runs for 1h 12m.
Is Downtown '81 worth watching?
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Downtown '81 (2001) holds an average rating of 6.7 out of 10 from 32 viewer votes, and is a good pick if you enjoy drama, comedy and music films. Read the viewer reviews on this page to decide for yourself.
Is there a trailer for Downtown '81?
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Yes. The official Downtown '81 trailer is embedded in the trailer section of this page and plays instantly, no download or sign-up required.