This film is part of Rentals
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_480x270/public/hero-images/Boom-for-real-2.jpg?itok=dIp7Lp2-)
Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat
The story of how one of the 20th century's most important artists emerged from the post-punk, b-boy and graffiti scenes of late '70s New York.
Director: Sara Driver
Overview
Jean-Michel Basquiat's spectacular rise from unschooled street artist to the toast of New York's art scene was achieved in just a few short years, before his untimely death in 1988. Sarah Driver's documentary explores how Basquiat emerged from a thrillingly vibrant scene in New York's Lower East Side, where graffiti artists, punk bands, DJs and artists intermingled amid a dangerously gritty milieu.
As such, Driver's approach ensures this is not so much of biopic of Basquiat himself, but more a profile of a particular place and a moment in time which allowed great art to thrive. The key protagonists of the era, which include luminaries such Jim Jarmusch and Fab Freddy 5, sketch a fascinating tableau of a forgotten New York City, with Basquiat himself positioned precociously up front and centre.
Related
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/wilding-02.jpg?itok=AmImzKtl)
Wilding Wilding
Documentary 2023 75 mins Director: David Allen
A dying landscape is healed against all odds, going on to thrive in astonishing ways, in this hopeful story of ecological regeneration.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Made-in-England-01.jpg?itok=riPux3e9)
Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger
Documentary 2024 133 mins Director: David Hinton
Martin Scorsese presents a highly personal tribute to the work and influence of Powell and Pressburger.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Copa71_05.jpg?itok=3-YzF6Yh)
Copa 71 Copa 71
Documentary 2023 90 mins Director: Rachel Ramsay and James Erskine
Buried for 50 years, this is the untold story of the 1971 Women’s World Cup – a tremendous, televised rollercoaster ride and a historic moment in football.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Fantastic-Machine-01.jpg?itok=Qw_L2KZe)
Fantastic Machine Fantastic Machine
Documentary 2023 88 mins Director: Axel Danielson and Maximilien Van Aertryck
Ambitious documentary chronicling humankind’s relationship with the camera and its social consequences.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/ryuichi-sakamoto-opus-02.jpg?itok=qLrMo0Ef)
Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus
Documentary 2023 103 mins Director: Neo Sora
This moving tribute to the late composer and musician speaks volumes about his enormous talent, pioneering work and dedication to his craft.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Red-Herring-01.jpg?itok=NN-73cAJ)
Red Herring Red Herring
Documentary 2023 94 mins Director: Kitson Vincent
Following his terminal diagnosis, young filmmaker Kit Vincent sets out to document an intimate and darkly humorous journey in this BIFA nominated documentary.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/ef2e0bbf21551525d8bfb2965e604974.jpg?itok=fMl0nt_Z)
Chi-Raq Chi-Raq
Musical 2015 127 mins Director: Spike Lee
Spike Lee’s bold and vivacious hip-hop musical restages an ancient Greek battle-of-the-sexes in 21st-century Chicago.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/YARDIE_1.jpg?itok=nxJhAAmE)
Yardie Yardie
Crime 2018 102 mins Director: Idris Elba
In his thrilling directorial debut, Idris Elba brings to life Victor Headley’s cult crime novel.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/monsters-and-men1.jpg?itok=JJEMrtWY)
Monsters and Men Monsters and Men
Drama 2018 96 mins Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green
Unravelling the aftermath of a police killing of a black man - and how it affects the lives of three separate individuals. With John David Washington (BlacKkKlansman).
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/nco-3.jpg?itok=m2Fsm1-Y)
Night Comes On Night Comes On
Drama 2018 87 mins Director: Jordana Spiro
After being released from prison, a young African American woman goes in search of her father.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/AG_6%2520-%2520Copy_edited.jpg?itok=qq4HbGni)
Amazing Grace Amazing Grace
Documentary 2019 89 mins Director: Alan Elliott and Sydney Pollack
Aretha Franklin, at the height of her powers, returns to the music which nurtured her prodigious talent.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Premature_Still_WEB_01.jpg?itok=ReFAK1tI)
Premature Premature
Drama 2019 90 mins Director: Rashaad Ernesto Green
Budding writer Ayanna’s life is transformed over the course of one hot Harlem summer, when a handsome and mysterious stranger walks into her life.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Green-Border-01.jpg?itok=-YVcr1Za)
Green Border Green Border
Drama 2023 152 mins
Three-time Oscar-nominee Agnieszka Holland returns with a powerful, timely and unflinching exploration of the current migrant crisis.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Our-River-our-sky-01.jpg?itok=p9xO8tL8)
Our River... Our Sky Our River... Our Sky
War 2021 118 mins Director: Maysoon Pachachi
A small Baghdad community searches for hope in the face of unpredictable violence, turmoil, and loss.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/LoveLiesBleeding-01_brighter.jpg?itok=Ji_gwS-r)
Love Lies Bleeding Love Lies Bleeding
Romance 2023 104 mins Director: Rose Glass
Rose Glass’s gripping and gory follow-up to Saint Maud finds a lesbian couple drawn into a web of violence in 1980s small-town New Mexico.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/sick-of-myself-01.jpeg?itok=6WYKe_5g)
Sick of Myself Sick of Myself
Comedy 2022 97 mins Director: Kristoffer Borgli
She just did what! Attention-seeking Signe will do anything to keep the focus on herself, in this wildly demented comedy.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/wilding-02.jpg?itok=AmImzKtl)
Wilding Wilding
Documentary 2023 75 mins Director: David Allen
A dying landscape is healed against all odds, going on to thrive in astonishing ways, in this hopeful story of ecological regeneration.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/AHouseInJerusalem-01.jpg?itok=9SyTSTlz)
A House in Jerusalem A House in Jerusalem
Drama 2022 104 mins Director: Muayad Alayan
After moving from the UK to Jerusalem, young Rebecca strikes up a mysterious and an unlikely friendship, in this poignant tale of loss and longing.