"Boom for Real" is a documentary film released in 2017, directed by Sara Driver. It explores the pre-fame years of the iconic American artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat, who rose to prominence in the neo-expressionist scene of the 1980s.
The film is set in New York City in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a time when the city was facing economic crisis, racial tension and a rise in crime rates. The film argues that these conditions gave rise to a vibrant underground art scene, characterized by collaborations between artists, musicians, and writers. Basquiat was a part of this scene, which is the focus of the film.
"Boom for Real" features never-before-seen footage and photographs taken of Basquiat during his teenage years. The film also contains interviews with some of his close friends and collaborators, including artist Lee Quinones, musician Fab Five Freddy, and filmmaker Jim Jarmusch, who discuss their impressions and memories of Basquiat.
The film also explores Basquiat's relationship to his Haitian and Puerto Rican heritage, and how his background informed his art. It examines his early influences, such as comic books, jazz, and graffiti; and how he fused these disparate elements into a wholly original and influential style.
Overall, "Boom for Real" offers a fascinating portrait of the origins of one of the most important artists of the 20th century. It illuminates the cultural and social forces that shaped his vision, and shows how his art reflected and responded to the tumultuous era in which he lived.