Downtown 81

What was underground New York City became overground USA in a big way since 1981. This is a true gem of a film, especially because of Basquiat's central character presence and part biographical depiction throughout. If you don't know what the 1980s art, music, literary and social scene was REALLY about, Downtown 81 will give you a very honest, clear and hilarious idea of this era as a starter.I didn't want Downtown 81 to end. I knew this art scene and totally got it as a witness that hung-out in and around the lower East side of Manhattan ("Alphabet City" and Greenwich Village) when it was still authentically funky, culturally outside the box, sometimes dangerous for the clueless, and usually creatively stimulating. Be sure to view all the extras for context --- especially the public access TV show footage which was hysterical, yet enlightening in hindsight over 30-years later. For better or worse, this area of Manhattan is relatively and culturally neutered now --- but a little safer for the clueless.

Initially dubious about this film, I read every Amazon review before purchasing and was pleased to find the quality and substance even better than I'd hoped. I love the movie "Basquiat" and now I'm amazed how well it portrayed the artist & his life, having now seen Downtown 81. Don't miss the Special Features, particularly the photo galleries; it was gratifying to learn than many of the talented people associated with the film have really made something of their lives. We can only wonder what more Basquiat would have achieved or how his art would have evolved if he were alive today. But at least we have his art of the '80s, and this film.

Something I think everyone who is an artist should see. If you have not ever heard about this man Basquiat is incredibly special. He dies young, but his art as SAMO and after and even before, have shaped my life, and the live of lots of others. If you enjoy graffiti, artistic documentarys, fine art, or just art, this is one that you shouldn't skip. It is a great package, and there are lots of extra features on the 2nd disc that help people REALL understand this file. Its not subtitled, its in ENGLISH, has subtitles tho.Who Killed Samo?

The picture quality is a huge upgrade with the Blu-ray transfer. But none of the special features from the Zeitgeist DVD addition are available on the Blu-ray. You only get the main feature. That’s it. No archival TV Party footage with Jean, no outtakes, etc. so definitely keep the DVD if you own it.

This is a film featuring many of the creative minds responsible for shaping post-Factory and post-Punk... No Wave.The various featured fashion, musical, performance and visual artists who all take center stage at pre-determined points of the film were mostly still struggling at the time of filming and famous not long after it wrapped. Basquiat aside... The long-awaited recovery and release is as (if not more) important than most anything else you'll ever read on the subject of NYC of the period. Seeing Basquiat in a very purposeful portrayal is an added bonus.

One of the great period pieces of all time. if you are in love with 1980's New York, then you must watch this. I used to make everyone I knew watch it in my Battery Park City apartment that became a party space for the LES after my wife left me (2007-2009). Everyone who lives in the East Village or LES today should see this.

Glad someone was videoing him in these early years👌

Excellent movie