American Masters: Basquiat - Rage To Riches

One of the most informative and entertaining PBS documentaries that I’ve watched. I really enjoyed seeing the friendship he had with Andy Warhol

The artist's responsibility is towards truth and clarity, and Basquiat's paintings exemplify this brilliantly, especially in his paintings depicting state violence, such as "Defacement", which can be put on par with Picasso's "Guernica" and Goya's "Disasters of War". This film, "Rage to Riches" proves Jean - Michel Basquiat was no fluke, whose artistic commentary also spoke directly on racism, and class warfare.

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Love this other doc. Great and original footage.

They say the f word in this film once which is problematic as a teacher. It also talks about race and how it impacts the artist and his career. Steer clear if these are forbidden topics at your school.

There will never be a JMB book that tells the whole story. Or movie, doc, or anything else.Consider him identical to Dylan/Miles.It's all in the painting.There's nothing more to be said. (Except this: Little known fact---JMB spent more of his millions that he made in his short, short life on FOOD, mostly carry-out, than any other luxury in life. Food and drugs. Not cars, not clothes, not travel, but food. Collected, like a hoarder, in a regular sized fridge.)Other than that see his art.Read and watch nothing more.Coda: Remember this, Basquiat admired Twombly. If you're a fan of Basquiat, you should too.