EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP

UK, 2010, 87 minutes, Colour.
Banksy, Thierry Guetta, Shepard Fairey, narrator: Rhys Ifans.
Directed by Banksy.

In the UK and, according to this eccentric documentary, street artist, Banksy (a hooded figure who speaks with an echo and has a grip on and is articulate about popular culture) has a strong, if at times, controversial reputation.

He puts an emphasis on the fact that he is not a film-maker and that this film came about a bit by accident and is more of a film about an even more eccentric character, Thierry Guetta.

It is a blend of documentary and mockumentary – at times reminiscent of a Christopher Guest film only a lot of this is true – or is it?.

At first, we have ardent disciple, Thierry, with his video camera on the loose in LA (where he has moved from France). He gets an interview with Banksy and follows up filming (and getting caught and questioned by security) in a theatrical art event critical of the US and Guantanamo, staged in Disneyland. Thierry then records the preparation for Banksy's successful LA exhibition which helps street art become both trendy and pricey.

Banksy suggests to Thierry that he edit a film from his hundreds of tapes. It results in a 90 minute film of arbitrary selection and intercutting of art and events that is avant garde and unwatchable (Banksy's verdict). So, Banksy suggests that Thierry get into art, not realising he is encouraging Thierry to turn into a kind of Frankenstein art monster of ambition and celebrity. Thierry chooses the street art name of Mr Brian Wash and organises the exhibition to end all exhibitions. Thierry loves his fame, bestows interviews, is shrewd in business, hires companies to mount the exhibition which, against all odds, opens on time and becomes a huge LA event.

So, there we have a slice or art life – sincerity, phoniness, pretension and pomposity and some quite arresting work (playing with Warhol portraits amongst other experiments). Many exited via the gift shop and shelled out for collector's items.

1.Interesting and entertaining documentary? Mockumentary? Interest, the effect? Art, celebrity, personalities?

2.The construction of the film: Thierry and his migrating from France to California, his jobs, His motivation, recording Banksy, the exhibition? Banksy as wary? Urging Thierry with his artwork, the result, the consequences?

3.Rhys Ifans’ narration, the tone?

4.The voice-over and Banksy? Banksy himself, remaining in the shadows and hooded? His voice, tone? His fame for street art, his praise of street art, his attitude towards graffiti and creative art? Pop and popular? A celebrity himself? His interviews? The encounter with Thierry, the follow-up, bonds between them? His display at Disney World, the Guantanamo protest? Thierry and his being arrested by security? Banksy and the phone call? Banksy and the elephant for his exhibition, the painting of the elephant, the media’s response, criticism? Banksy’s exhibition in Los Angeles, a success? The prices paid for the artwork? The glimpses of celebrities like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie? The media response? Banksy’s career? Banksy’s personality, clothes, his verdict on Thierry?

5.Banksy and the influence on Tierry? Thierry and his wife? The background in France, family, job, his continually videoing everything, videoing art, the many tapes? Devotion to Banksy, Banksy’s offhand recommendation that Thierry be involved in art? Following the Disney episode and his being interrogated, the exhibition, becoming an enthusiastic disciple? His editing his footage?

6.Thierry’s film, ninety minutes, random putting together of images, the method, unwatchable? Banksy’s negative reaction?

7.Thierry and his ambitions, becoming Mr Brainwash? His art, using Warhol and other pop art, variations on the theme? The huge warehouse and his getting it? Mounting the exhibition? The different crews? Work, the media response, LA Weekly, the last-minute preparations, hurting his foot, becoming more bossy, taking time off for the media? Yet the exhibition a success, lasting longer than expected? The prices for the work – and Thierry’s arbitrarily suggesting prices?

8.The interviews with Thierry, perceptions of him?

9.The aftermath, the information about him – and how real was all this?