On our last night in Miami Beach we were lucky enough to take in a screening of the rough cut for “Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child” as part of Art Basel. The completed film will premiere at the end of January 2010 during the Sundance Festival in Park City, Utah.
The Colony Theater, Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child, Art Basel Miami Beach, ©2009 by MCH.
The film was scheduled to air at the Oceanfront area but threatening weather moved it inside to the Colony Theater. We had walked more than fifty miles in the past few days and welcomed the opportunity to slip into comfortable theater seats.
Bob Colacello, Tamra Davis, David Koh, Fab Five Freddy and Jeffrey Deitch, Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child, Art Basel Miami Beach, ©2009 by MCH.
The Director, Tamra Davis took part in a panel discussion before the film and fielded questions after. She was joined by Bob Colacello, David Koh, Fab Five Freddy and Jeffrey Deitch. Some interesting personal encounters with Jean-Michel were put forth to a very receptive crowd.
Tamra Davis, Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child, Art Basel Miami Beach, ©2009 by MCH.
The film revolves around an interview and wide range of footage of Basquiat shot by Tamra Davis mainly in New York and California during the 1980’s. When her friend passed away, she put the films in a drawer not wanting to cash in on the tragedy. I am glad that after all of these years she has accepted that her work is of important historical significance and should be shared. Even the rough cut had the audience in a trance. The most accurate depiction of the man to date.
It may be a while before this one reaches a theater near you but it is sure to make a big impact at Sundance.
Fab Five Freddy, Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child, Art Basel Miami Beach, ©2009 by MCH.
Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child
Screening
4 December 2009
Art Basel Miami Beach
