Exit Through The Gift Shop DVD Review (Banksy)
Exit Through The Gift Shop DVD Review (Banksy)
Synopsis: The incredible true story of how the greatest graffiti movie of all time was never made...
EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP is a chaotic trip through low-level criminality, comradeship, and incompetence. By turns shocking, hilarious and absurd, this is an enthralling modern-day fairytale... with bolt cutters.
This is the inside story of Street Art—a brutal and revealing account of what happens when fame, money, and vandalism collide. EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP follows an eccentric shopkeeper turned amateur filmmaker as he attempts to capture many of the world's most infamous vandals on camera, only to have famed British stencil artist Banksy turn the camcorder back on its owner in one of the most provocative films about art ever made.
Review: I wasn't sure what to expect when I went into Exit Through the Gift Shop. I mean, this is a film directed by street art legend Banksy, but its not about Banksy...I don't know, it was confusing. All became clear once I tuned-in, though. A lot of things became clear about the history of street art and some of the most major players in the game.
I'm an artist myself and I have a deep appreciation for the revolutionary careers of artists like Banksy and Shepard Fairey. I must say that once I saw this documentary about the life of Mr. Brainwash, AKA Thierry Guetta, my opinions on these artists changed. They tried to paint Thierry as a lunatic and a poser, but instead he comes off as a natural product of his environment. He embodies his artwork and these guys that let him hang out and film them are basically bitter because they paid more dues and they didn't seen him as some elite artist like they were, but rather some geeky guy they let hang out with them. In the end, both Banksy and Fairey come off looking a bit douchey and full of themselves.
That all being said, this is a phenominal documentary. One of the best I've seen in years. I'm very excited to have had the chance to see this glimpse into the past. You get TONS of footage of these talented street artists sneaking around at night and doing their thing, often assisted by Thierry. This one is a must-buy for anyone into art and especially street art. We HIGHLY recommend!
I'm an artist myself and I have a deep appreciation for the revolutionary careers of artists like Banksy and Shepard Fairey. I must say that once I saw this documentary about the life of Mr. Brainwash, AKA Thierry Guetta, my opinions on these artists changed. They tried to paint Thierry as a lunatic and a poser, but instead he comes off as a natural product of his environment. He embodies his artwork and these guys that let him hang out and film them are basically bitter because they paid more dues and they didn't seen him as some elite artist like they were, but rather some geeky guy they let hang out with them. In the end, both Banksy and Fairey come off looking a bit douchey and full of themselves.
That all being said, this is a phenominal documentary. One of the best I've seen in years. I'm very excited to have had the chance to see this glimpse into the past. You get TONS of footage of these talented street artists sneaking around at night and doing their thing, often assisted by Thierry. This one is a must-buy for anyone into art and especially street art. We HIGHLY recommend!
Interest Range: Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Mr. Brainwash, Street Art, Space Invader, Thierry Guetta