Netflix has acquired a documentary on legendary, world-renowned artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, the zeitgeist figure of the Neo-expressionism movement within 1980s New York City. Co-directed by the editor of The Perfect Neighbour, this feature-length documentary explores the fascinating man behind the art through untold memories from close friends and family, never-before-seen works, and rare archival imagery.
Not many artists’ names come with as much esteem and weight as Jean-Michel Basquiat. His Neo-expressionist artwork wasn’t just visually stunning; it defined a movement, pushing against minimalist artistic styles of the time and favouring vivid colour and expression. What’s more, the art he depicted was a mirror held up in the face of 1980s societal tensions, especially in New York City, where his most famous works took their inspiration and social criticisms.
Raised in Brooklyn and self-taught in his field, Basquiat’s works, an abstract blend of street art and graffiti, carried an intellectual depth setting them aside from other works. He was a pivotal figure in 1980s Manhattan. His life and body of work has transcended generations. Look no further than his seminal 1982 work, an ‘Untitled’ painting of a skull. In 2017, it sold at auction for a staggering $110.5 million, making it one of the most expensive pieces of artwork ever created. In his twenties, he was a world-renowned and well-respected artist. He sadly passed away in 1988 aged 27.
Basquiat’s legacy is rooted in unique, eclectic, bursting artwork — it’s easy to know when you’re looking at as Basquiat piece. Outside of the art, the story of the man behind it has continued to endure over the years.. In fact, the name Basquiat itself has become a moniker and a mythology in and of itself. Netflix’s documentary film aims to paint a picture of Basquiat as a person and a culture-defining figure. This is far from the first feature documentary exploring the artist. Other notable ones include Basquiat: Rage to Riches (2017), Jean-Michel Basquiat: A Life (2017), and Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat (2017).
The official logline reads:
“Jean-Michel Basquiat is a reclamation of what has been lost in the legacy of a globally renowned artist. Through untold memories from close friends and family, never-before-seen works, and rare archival imagery, this film demystifies the story of Basquiat and discovers the man behind it all, Jean-Michel.”
The film is the directorial debut of Quinn Whitney Wilson, who created the project alongside co-director Viridiana Lieberman, the acclaimed editor of Academy-award nominated feature documentary The Perfect Neighbor (2025), which remains one of Netflix’s most successful documentaries to date. There’s also a long list of executive producers, with NFL star Travis Kelce involved.
“Jean-Michel Basquiat’s legacy is undeniable,” co-directors Quinn Whitney Wilson and Viridiana Lieberman said in a statement. “We see his art everywhere, from the most historical museums to the clothing moving through the streets. Yet the myth and the man are not one and the same, and across the decades ‘Basquiat’ has become a moniker that doesn’t capture the entire person. His origins have hardened into an ever-growing mythology, and it’s long overdue to meet him in all the multifaceted and powerful ways he moved through this world. That’s our goal with this film, and we couldn’t imagine a better home than Netflix, whose global reach matches his own.”
The documentary-film is made with the backing of Basquiat’s family. “We, his family, are deeply proud to see Jean-Michel’s full humanity brought to light with such care, intention, and respect,” said the artist’s sisters Jeanine Heriveaux and Lisane Basquiat. “Thank you to Jordan Wynn and the entire Boardwalk team for their partnership and a very special thank you to Quinn Wilson and Viri Lieberman for their leadership, creativity, and commitment to a project well done.”
The documentary premieres at Tribeca Festival on June 5th.
