Ahead of its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, Netflix has acquired Jean-Michel Basquiat’s documentary, which was made with the artist’s family.
Titled Jean-Michel Basquiatthis doc was directed by Quinn Whitney Wilson in her feature film debut, and by Viridiana Lieberman, editor of the award-winning Netflix doc The perfect neighbor. “The doc demystifies Basquiat’s story and discovers the man behind it all,” according to the synopsis, telling the story of the famous artist through new interviews with family and close friends, including his sisters Lézanne and Janine, as well as never-before-seen works and archival photographs.
Basquiat, a self-taught artist who grew up in Brooklyn, gained acclaim for his artwork that combined graffiti, street art, and punk sensibilities. From a young age, Basquiat and his works achieved international fame, years before his premature death at the age of 27.
“We, his family, are extremely proud to see Jean-Michel’s full humanity highlighted with such care, intention and respect,” Jeanine Heriveau and Lisanne Basquiat, the film’s executive director of production, said in a statement.
A Boardwalk Pictures, Indus Valley Media, and Radiant Media Studios are behind the film, along with Interscope Films, H.Wood Media, and Laurel Canyon Pictures. The producers of the documentary are: Jordan Wynn, Andrew Fried, Harleen Lawal, Lana Barkin, Dane Lilgard, Eileen Shepard Gallagher, Will Cohen, Whitney Wilson, and David Lavin.
The doc’s executive producers include NFL star Travis Kelce. Other executive producers are: Rob Guillermo, Nihar Sinha, Louis Krupech, Dan Fried, Ray Maiello, Rhodes Mackey, John Janick, Steve Berman, Michelle Ann, John Terzian, Jeremy Allen, Katherine L. Oliver, Lindsay Firestone, Anthony Konigbagbe, James Cunningham, Amy Stewart, Max Allman, J.M. Harper, Henrik Molin and Ron Beck.
In a statement, the directors said, “Jean-Michel Basquiat’s legacy is undeniable. We see his art everywhere, from historical museums to the clothes moving in the streets. However, the legend and the man are not one thing, and over the decades, ‘Basquiat’ has become a nickname that does not capture the whole person. His origins have hardened into an ever-growing legend, and his encounter is long overdue for all time.” “The powerful, multi-faceted ways in which he navigated this world is our goal for this film, and we can’t imagine a better home than Netflix, whose global reach matches its global reach.”
WME Independent negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers.
