Basquiat 4K The Criterion Collection US Edition

Director: Julian Schnabel directed "Basquiat," released in 1996. Schnabel, an artist-turned-filmmaker, brought his deep understanding of the art world to this film, which serves as his directorial debut. He masterfully captures the life and struggles of the celebrated artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, blending his own artistic perspective with a compelling narrative.

Plot: The film follows Jean-Michel Basquiat (Jeffrey Wright), a street artist who rises to fame in the 1980s New York art scene. Through his association with pop artist Andy Warhol (David Bowie) and the influence of art dealer Bruno Bischofberger (Dennis Hopper), Basquiat navigates the highs and lows of artistic success. The narrative delves into his tumultuous relationships, struggles with addiction, and the impact of his newfound fame on his personal life.

Awards: "Basquiat" received critical acclaim and won several awards, including the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for Benicio Del Toro, and a Special Recognition from the National Board of Review. It was also nominated for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED 4K UHD + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

• New 4K digital restoration of the 2024 black-and-white version, supervised and approved by director Julian Schnabel, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack

• One 4K UHD disc of the 2024 black-and-white version of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features

• Audio commentary featuring Schnabel and writer and curator Giulia D’Agnolo Vallan

• New 4K digital restoration of the 1996 theatrical version

• New interview with actor Jeffrey Wright

• Interview from 1996 with Schnabel and actor David Bowie

• Trailer

• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

• PLUS: An essay by film scholar Roger Durling

New cover by Julian Schnabel