Rating:  

Paranoid Pictures and Producers Distribution Agency (PDA).

Banksy’s claim to fame thus far has been as a divisive and rapidly influential graffiti artist, activist, painter, and creator of stunning visual media. He is also often branded as confrontational, edgy, and with his identity always concealed, an unattainable enigma. Throughout Banksy’s emergence in the street art/graffiti scene over the past decade or so, his public existence has remained cloaked behind masks and drenched in anonymity. In 2010, Banksy turned his attention behind the camera and found new levels of fame and success by delivering one of the most innovative and unique films – documentary or otherwise – to come along in several years.

“Exit Through The Gift Shop” is, by initial impression, a genuine documentary. An art-obsessed filmmaker, Thierry Guetta, sets out to make a film about the artists he admires in a bustling and blossoming Los Angeles underground art scene. Inhabited by graffiti artists and street art practitioners, Guetta and his always charged up video camera are always smack dab in the heart of the scene, capturing every second Guetta can document.

Years go by and Guetta has become a fixture in the street art community but one thing constantly nags at him with regard to his film project. He wants access to Banksy, plain and simple. Banksy is the “get” for Guetta and he is intrigued at the prospects of landing him for his film.

Then rather inexplicably Guetta’s chance has come. Guetta’s cousin, a street artist known as Space Invader, has found a way for Guetta to meet the mythical figure. Banksy is coming to Los Angeles and needs someone to show him around the city, help him scout out some sites and perhaps, if the feeling strikes him, make some art along the way. As Guetta agrees to accompany Banksy and offers him his complete support and assistance, Guetta shoots every bit of footage he can. Circumstances however lead to Banksy having a bit of an epiphany – Guetta has been documenting these artists and this scene for such a long period of time but has never discussed an end to his film. Banksy informs Guetta that it is time to wrap up the film, edit it, and get it out as the definitive record of the street art movement. To Banksy’s chagrin, Guetta is ill equipped at editing and sequencing the countless hours of footage he has assembled and after presenting a first edit of his film, Banksy realizes Guetta is clueless when it comes to completing his film. And so with all the energy of a shoulder shrug, Banksy takes over the documentary and Thierry Guetta’s life changes forever because of it.

The way the film unfolds, you have to wonder if the film is real or a bit of a prank. Is this a new artistic outlet for Banksy to provoke and conquer? Maybe it is and maybe it isn’t. Banksy and his producers have steadfastly denied the film is false and claim everything happened as depicted on screen. Seeing the film, it’s largely a moot point whether the film is true, false, or somewhere in between. Banksy has crafted a film which questions the very culture that provides his fame, turns the question back around on the viewer as to why art is so important to us, documents the skill it takes to be a truly great artist, and in turn, challenges the conventions of documentary filmmaking.

“Exit Through The Gift Shop”, real or not, hoax or truth, is a revelation. Banksy earned a spot on my 15 Great Performances of 2010 list for his expert craftsmanship in making a film about the vibrant and underground street art movement, and then subtly questioning and mocking its very popularity. I have massive appreciation for the boldness and bravery of the film. Deftly comedic and irresistible by its sheer construction, “Exit…” signifies something fresh, innovative, and original. Banksy has simply delivered one of the most memorable documentaries of recent years and one of 2010′s finest films.

Should I See It?

YES

Nothing like any documentary you have ever seen, “Exit”, like many of its subjects, flies in the face of convention and delivers a revelatory and innovative take on the documentary genre.

There is a lot of food for thought here and long after the film ends and the amusement drifts away, the film remains with you and forces you to look at your own artistic interests.

Despite all the craziness within the narrative, Guetta and Banksy have indeed created the definitive film on the incredible street art movement.

The movie is one of the most entertaining films of recent memory and expertly put together.

NO

Although I would still recommend the film to you, if you find street art or graffiti to be offensive or morally reprehensible, you may recoil from this and not enjoy it whatsoever.

If you do not like ambiguity in your cinema, you might stay away.

Some may find the content of the film pretentious and self-serving. A film directed by Banksy, largely about Banksy, with narration focused on Banksy, all told through the story of Thierry Guetta. This will simply make some people annoyed.