Experience the pivotal years that preceded artist Jean-Michel Basquiat’s fame in this dazzling record of New York City's art world during the late ‘70s and 80s. Director Sara Driver, a close friend of Basquiat’s who was part of the downtown scene herself, draws upon never-before-seen works, writings, photographs and interviews with key figures of the period to visually re-create the era. The result is a rare portrait of the iconic artist and the city that formed him—pre-AIDS, President Reagan, the real estate and art booms—before anyone was motivated by money and ambition. This is New York City's story before that change.

New York Portraits: There's simply no place like it. We're bringing the art, culture and history of New York to you with four vibrant portraits of the city through the decades.

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