Jean-Michel Basquiat’s crown has traveled far beyond the canvas. On clothing, in hip-hop lyrics and across museum walls, his imagery has become part of our cultural vocabulary. His sisters, Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux, want the world to know more about the person who created it.
Fresh off their recognition as members of the 2026 EBONY Power 100 class, the sisters are celebrating another milestone: Jean-Michel Basquiat, the first and only documentary approved by their brother’s estate, premieres globally on Netflix December 11.
For an artist whose name can command millions at auction — the most recent of his work, Untitled (1981), sold this October at Artcurial in Paris for approximately $1.9 million — the film offers something the marketplace cannot measure. It centers around the memories of the people who knew and loved him before he became Basquiat.
“JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT is a reclamation of what has been lost in the legacy of a globally renowned artist. Through untold memories from his family, never-before-seen works, and rare archival imagery, this film demystifies the story of Basquiat and discovers the man behind it all, Jean-Michel,” the film’s official synopsis reads.
Directed by Quinn Whitney Wilson and Viridiana Lieberman, with both sisters serving as executive producers, the documentary brings family history into a public narrative often dominated by fame, money and their brother’s death at 27. His Brooklyn upbringing and Haitian and Puerto Rican roots give that story a fuller foundation.
More importantly, the film gives viewers a chance to see Black artists beyond their work, an extended glimpse into the families, communities and experiences that shaped them. For Lisane and Jeanine, preserving their brother’s legacy also means making room for their own memories.
In an interview with British Vogue, Lisane shared, “The film left me raw. And vulnerable.” She also described an unexpectedly healing process that helped the family confront decades of grief.
Jeanine explained that their earlier reluctance to discuss their mother, Matilde, came from protecting her privacy and mental health. The documentary offered a way to acknowledge her influence on Jean-Michel and all three children.
Their Power 100 recognition celebrates that ongoing stewardship. Reflecting on the honor on Instagram, Lisane said, “For me and Jeanine to be honored in that way is such a blessing; it’s surreal.”
She also offered encouragement to others: “When you’re doing the work, whatever the work is, just keep doing it because there are people watching you do that.”