Directed by Banksy, starring Banksy, Thierry Guetta (Mr. Brainwash) and Rhys Ifans. Banksy, the British graffiti artist, painter, political activist, and now filmmaker emerged out of the Bristol underground scene in the late 1980’s. Hollywood celebrities turned out in record numbers in 2006 for Banksy’s LA ‘Show Barely Legal’. Exit Through the Gift Shop is the story of how an eccentric French shopkeeper and amateur filmmaker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy and then spent the next few decades recording the fascinating secret world of the street artist. The story would not end quite this simply. Banksy did befriend Thierry but when he saw the results of Thierry’s years of work he was not convinced. He persuaded the Frenchman to hand over his prize collection of footage to Banksy and to try his hand at becoming a street artist himself. Exit Through The Gift Shop is the true-life extraordinary documentary of the transformation of Thierry the shopkeeper to the sensational street artist, Mr. Brainwash as told through Banksy’s lens. An exceptional music score by Geoff Barrow (Portishead) underlies the film.

The film took audiences by storm and received a nomination for 2011 Oscar for Best Documentary.

Film authenticity: Was the film just an elaborate ruse on Banksy’s part, or did Guetta really evolve into Mr. Brainwash overnight?

Those tricky questions that lie in the chasm between art and commerce are raised naturally through the progression of the narrative, whether that narrative is partially fabricated or not. Since virtually anything can be considered art, the term has become virtually meaningless. This documentary proves it.

Was it inspirational? My 13 year old son liked it and he is now asking for a can spray paint! Exit Through The Gift Shop is funny, playful, fascinating and intriguing.

-Christophe Chanel