Ζαν-Μισέλ Μπασκιά

Matt Neglia4.0

JEAN-MICHEL is the definitive documentary on one of the great and most influential artists of our time. With full participation from his sisters and friends, this Netflix film paints a vivid and intimate portrait of who Jean-Michel Basquiat was beyond his work, but also why his work continues to resonate today. Efficiently told through archival footage and Basquiat’s own artwork, it captures both the brilliance of his creative spirit and the tragedy of a life cut far too short. It’s a moving tribute to the connections he made with those closest to him and the lasting impact he left behind in the brief time he was here.My full review on NextBestPicture.com here

Ben4.0

An ambitious tribute to one of New York’s most iconic artists, Jean-Michel manages to wrangle a treasure trove of archival footage, imagery and first-hand accounts with friends, family and admirers into a cohesive, engaging portrait of an incredibly complex genius. And they do it all in just about 90 minutes. Anchored by interviews with his two sisters, the film breaks down the myth of Basquiat, pulling back the curtain on his complicated and contentious childhood, marred by a separation of his parents and his mother’s struggle with mental health. All of this and more shapes the ethos of the man who skyrocketed to fame, not just at an incredibly young age but in record time, going from broke downtown artist to phenomenon, not with the support of the artistic establishment but in spite of it. The film embodies the energy of that rise and then its tragic end, never getting too somber, but rather celebrating how singular of an artist he remains today. It’s exactly what you want from a documentary about a person’s life, never relying too much on talking heads while pulling in archival interview footage, interjected to give you a taste of who they were first-hand. It’s comprehensive but never overly biographical or academic. It’s exactly the film such a legendary figure deserves.

vinnie_pooh

Most invigorating use of archival I've seen in a long time. It's a miracle the Estate's hollow legacy vamping is limited to the final five minutes. That's the cost of getting the archives, baby! Worth it, tbh