Posted by KB on May 20, 2010
Banksy’s debut feature film comes with a warning, “Everything you are about to see is true, especially the bit where we all lie”. Nonetheless, it is almost impossible not to be drawn into the sentimental tale of Frenchman Thierry Guetta, an entrepreneurial amateur filmmaker who is lured into the subversive world of street art and becomes obsessed with trying to capture Banksy through his lens.
Thierry’s 10-year journey documents the rise of street art from the streets of London, Paris and LA. He forms friendships with prolific street artists such as American Shepard Fairey (of Obama ‘Hope’ poster fame), a sharp social observer who reminds the viewer of an ever-present theme: the power of perception.
As with his art, Banksy’s film (brought to you by Paranoid Pictures) is dotted with irony and humour. There are truly funny moments, such as the boxfuls of ‘forged’ banknotes for an art installation that feature Princess Di’s head in place of the Queen’s. Thierry’s enthusiastic curiosity is comic at first, but is soon supplanted by a darker side as his hunger for success and recognition grows.
Through Thierry’s story, Banksy turns the tables on his critics to question the nature of art in today’s society. No group escapes scrutiny in his quest to challenge the viewer and highlight the ludicrousness of hype in popular culture. These questions even extend to the notion that Banksy senses his own notoriety has led to a complacency and ready acceptance of his works, at odds with his artistic values.
On the surface, Exit Through the Gift Shop is a cautionary tale. But in true Banksy style, peeling away the cheeky and amusing external layers reveals a deeper, thought-provoking debate – all while keeping his anonymity intact.
banksy, thierry guetta, documentary, street art