EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP (Mongrel, 2010) D: Banksy. Rating: NNNN DVD package: NNN Rating: NNNN
Thierry Guetta is a strange guy, an L.A. clothing store owner from France with a compulsion to film everything in his life but no interest in ever watching his footage or making it into a movie. He becomes fascinated with filming street artists, then zooms in on finding and filming the famous and reclusive street artist Banksy. This done, and on a casual suggestion from Banksy, Guetta morphs into a talentless but highly successful artist.
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All this may be a complete hoax authored by Banksy, who is known for such things. The phrase “A Banksy Film” appears with the title, but he’s not listed as director or writer in the credits and admits to knowing nothing about making movies. You can find other hints if you look.
But hoax or documentary, this is a well-made, enjoyable look at the nocturnal raids and work of street artists Banksy, Space Invader, Shepard Fairey and others. Guetta is an amusing presence, and his panicked attempt to mount a huge show in L.A. is at times hilarious. If the movie – recently long-listed for the best feature documentary Oscar – has a flaw, it’s that the art goes by too quickly.
The extras include a good documentary on Banksy’s life and art.
EXTRAS Banksy doc, Guetta movie, more. Widescreen. English audio. French subtitles.
