Exit through the Gift Shop - (The Banksy Film to everyone else)

Exit through the Gift Shop - (The Banksy Documentary)
Being the “arty farty” type like myself (yeah right!), when I heard that there was a documentary coming out about Banksy, I was somewhat intrigued to say the least. Banksy is renowned for his anonymousness, so why would he agree to be in a film where he is the centre of attention?

As I sit here in the picture house (on my own) with a small pepsi and small box of sweet popcorn, listening to some kind of reggae music with additional accordian (yes it got sadder!) the anticipation has actually made me quite excited, which I wasn’t really expecting. Nowadays, and certainly more recently now with the blog, I try to avoid reviews of any kind before I see the film for myself, so my first impression isn’t tainted at all. However, just the description of this film, “the first art disaster movie”, seems somewhat opinionated and “breaks all convention”, leads me to believe that I’m either going to love this film, or hate it - films and documentaries which “break convention”, I think usually have that effect on everyone.
So, now the lights are dimming, I’ve eaten half the box of popcorn already and I’m eager for the film to start, so I’ll see you on the other side…..

So the film opens with some old footage of street artists, from the 80s or early 90s, with the opening credits, and the song “The streets are ours” play in the background, the words “don’t buy this crap” are also heard just as the film starts. We immediaty see Banksy, dimly lit, sitting in a chair with his hood up, being asked what this film is about; he replies, with his voice disguised, “This is a story of a guy who tried to make a film about me, only he’s more interesting than I am.” So straight away it clearly isn’t going to be the film I thought it was. It’s about the Frenchman called Thierry Guetta, who when we meet him explains that ever since he first picked up a video camera, filmed literally everything in his life, never letting the camera out of his hands. With in the first few minutes of meeting Guetta it’s clear that he is a very colourful and eccentric character, and I immediately felt a warmth towards him; his slightly childish mannerisms with his passion for filming everything, instantly gets audience’s on side.

Very early on we see how he’s also slightly obsessed with celebrity, forcing his camera into faces of celebrities as they walk by; Jay Leno and Liam Gallagher to name a few.

He soon gets involved in filming street artists at night,  his cousin “Invader”, who’s known for tagging images of space invaders all over the place, hooks him up with various street artists such as, Buff Monster, Sweet Toof, Borf and specifically ends up following Shepard Fairey, who created This famous piece. Fairey eventually asks the question, why is he filming everything, and being put on the spot Guetta claims to be making a street art documentary, when in actual fact, he just stores the tapes, never to be watched again.

Banksy still remains a mystery to us the audience, as we havent seen him at all yet, and also to Guetta who is still trying to meet him. Eventually, due to sheer luck, Banksy needs a guide to where all the best walls are, and Guetta gets hooked up with him. It’s here at this half way point that the film takes a bit of a turn and we see more about Banksy talking about Guetta, rather than the other way around, describing him as a nice guy, useful to have around, but clearly a bit crazy.

As street art becomes more popular, and pieces are selling for ridiculous amounts of money, Banksy suggests that Guetta makes the film, to show the public that the art is not about the money, having never made a film before, the film that Guetta makes, as put by Banksy, is “a pile of shit.” Bansky sends him away telling him to maybe do some art work himself, and put on a small gallery, whilst he keeps the tapes to make a film himself. It’s here that the film takes a sudden twist - and I’ll leave what happens for you to see, it’s not really a great surprise, but I’d rather not give anything away.

So Guetta started out making a documentary about street art and Banksy, but ironically what we end up with is a documentary about Guetta by Banksy.

Now there’s many rumors going round that this film is a bit of a hoax and Guetta (or Mr Brainwash, as he’s later known) is completely made up. Either way, it is very entertaining and myself along with all the audience I was watching with, were in stiches to some of the comments made both by Banksy and by Guetta.
As to whether or not this film goes against convention, I’d have to say not. There's a clear structure to the story, a clear beginning middle and end, and it’s shot how you would expect a documentary of this kind to be shot. Hand held camera footage, mixed in with interviews and odd sequences to music.
“Exit through the gift shop” - which title becomes more meaningful once the film is over, referring to the museums and galleries making money from art - wasn’t what I’d thought it was going to be at all but it was excellent. I recommend anyone who has an interest in Banksy to go and see it for that reason, and those of you who do not, the sheer comedy factor of the charismatic Thierry Guetta, is worth the ticket money alone. I’m not sure what to rate this, is was brilliant but not what I expected -

I’ll go for a strong 8 out of 10 - I might stop with the “out of ten” scoring system soon, it’s come apparent that I might watch a film, think it’s an 8, but think it’s better than say Knowing, but scoring it it’s fair 8 would make it seem an equal. Not sure.
Anyway bottom line, if you can go and see this film - do it, it’s only out in a few cinemas around the country for a little while, hopefully though, we’ll see a dvd or bluray soon.
Russ x