Although I loved this com-doc about street art/graffiti, I felt slightly hoodwinked. It’s a banksy film, but banksy doesn’t appear in it much. And I’m not sure the bits with banksy was bansky. Who knows?
Exit Through The Gift Shop follows amateur documentary maker and unhinged blagger, Thierry Guetta. While filming his family, friends, a cousin who happens to be a street artist, and more artists across the globe, he stumbles across a Bristolian named banksy. Through this encounter Thierry decides to create his own art under the name of Mr. Brainwash.
So, we see Thierry turn from random cameraman to legitimate and sellable artist, and we see banksy turn into a filmmaker. It’s a visual and exciting glimpse into Thierry’s rapid dive into the world of street-art.
The street art on show in the 90 minute film is utterly amazing. Exit Through The Gift Shop is highly recommended as it sheds some light on the secretive world of art on the streets.
© BRWC 2010.
