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Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child

Play trailer Poster for Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child 2010 1h 33m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 36 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
A thoughtful portrait of a renowned artist, this documentary shines the spotlight on New York City painter Jean-Michel Basquiat. Featuring extensive interviews conducted by Basquiat's friend, filmmaker Tamra Davis, the production reveals how he dealt with being a black artist in a predominantly white field. The film also explores Basquiat's rise in the art world, which led to a close relationship with Andy Warhol, and looks at how the young painter coped with acclaim, scrutiny and fame.
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Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child

Critics Reviews

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Rick Groen Globe and Mail 10/08/2010
3/4
Tamra Davis's documentary does serve as a worthy companion to Julian Schnabel's 1996 biopic. Go to Full Review Carrie Rickey Philadelphia Inquirer 09/16/2010
3.5/4
A touching portrait that may not be the last word on the painter, but has facts and context to burn. Go to Full Review Sebastian Smee Boston Globe 09/16/2010
3/4
The intimate, home video footage -- which has never been shown -- feels poignant, a throwback to Basquiat's early days on the New York scene when he got by on his good looks, an elusive inner confidence, and the generosity of others. Go to Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter 06/10/2020
Using Basquiat's words and his art, labeled bebop-influenced neo-expressionism or sometimes gutter punk, Davis means to resurrect the relevance of a black artist pioneer... Go to Full Review Brian D. Johnson Maclean's Magazine 10/04/2019
This documentary is a wonderfully rich and evocative portrait of the artist as a young man... Go to Full Review Laura Hiros Rincón de cine 03/21/2018
3/5
... [Director Tamra Davis] shows us an unknown facet of the artist, with a series of interviews and touching images that reveal the personality of a contemporary art hero... [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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06/14/2024 Basquiat is a genius, and this film shows the human aspect of creating process. See more 05/14/2016 gr8 bio-doc really liked this one alot. See more 07/26/2015 Everything is illuminated! See more 06/26/2015 Tamra Davis coloca Jean-Michel Basquiat no centro de um retrato eficaz, inspirador e surpreendentemente enternecedor. Estes méritos contribuem para que "The Radiant Child" seja quase um trampolim para um conhecimento mais aprofundado do trabalho de Basquiat. Com todo a arte incrível que abunda ao longo de quase uma hora e meia, era necessária uma realização péssima para arruinar este documentário. See more 11/17/2014 Extensive old footage interspersed with contemporary interviews give the viewer a real feel for the time, the place and the artist. See more 12/02/2013 My favorite movie of all time. Very inspirational and informative. Correctly focused more on the art than on the person. This makes more sense, because the art is the deepest, most informative reflection of the person. This is a concept that may be complex, but if you pay attention closely while observing a painting it will tell you all that you need to know about Jean Michel Basquiat. See more Read all reviews
Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child

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Cast & Crew

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Tamra Davis

Director

Lilly Bright

Producer

Stanley F. Buchthal

Producer

David Koh

Producer

Alexis Spraic

Producer

J. Ralph

Original Music

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Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child

Director Tamra Davis. Jean-Michel Basquiat in "Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child." Jean-Michel Basquiat in "Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child." Jean-Michel Basquiat in "Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child." Jean-Michel Basquiat in "Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child." Jean-Michel Basquiat in "Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child." Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child (2010) Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child (2010) Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child (2010) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A thoughtful portrait of a renowned artist, this documentary shines the spotlight on New York City painter Jean-Michel Basquiat. Featuring extensive interviews conducted by Basquiat's friend, filmmaker Tamra Davis, the production reveals how he dealt with being a black artist in a predominantly white field. The film also explores Basquiat's rise in the art world, which led to a close relationship with Andy Warhol, and looks at how the young painter coped with acclaim, scrutiny and fame.
Director
Tamra Davis
Producer
Lilly Bright, Stanley F. Buchthal, David Koh, Alexis Spraic
Screenwriter
Eric Martin, Lois Vossen
Distributor
Arthouse Films
Production Co
Fortissimo Film Sales
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 21, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 13, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$256.2K
Runtime
1h 33m
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