This 1996 film is a purported biopic about a famous painter by another famous painter, Julian Schnabel. We ask whether the narrative this movie presents is an inaccurate portrayal of its subject because it exploits him or because the director is commenting on his own place within the world of fine art.

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• Basquiat

Additional Resources:

• Jim Jarmusch Explains Why He Refuses To Watch Julian Schanbel’s ‘Basquiat’
• Basquiat: Julian Schnabel’s Radiant Child
• Julian Schnabel Asks Why White Filmmakers Shouldn’t Tell a Story About a Person of Color
• “Basquiat” and the Art of the Biopic
• Basquiat
• SCHNABEL AND HIS DOUBLES by Charlie Finch
• “Basquiat’ trivializes talented painter’s life
• http://alienatedinvancouver.blogspot.com/2009/07/on-filmwork-of-john-lurie-interview.html
• “Time to Develop”