One "Exit" You Don't Wanna Miss

In the "legally gray" world of street art, anything goes. Street artists use whatever they can to get their messages to the public- whether it's a can of spray paint, a busted up telephone booth, or even an elephant. But as the movement gains more mainstream momentum, everything changes. In his 2010 documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop, the notorious yet anonymous street artist Banksy shows us how one man cheated in a world where there are no rules.

That man is French born, LA clothing store owner Thierry Guetta. Thierry comes across almost like a cartoon character, complete with enormous side burns and an obsession to record everything with his video camera. On a vacation back to his home country, Thierry and his camera make a thrilling discovery: at night, his cousin calls himself Space Invader and posts small mosaics inspired by the 80’s arcade game all across Paris. 

The man who will unknowingly play a huge role in street art

Thierry takes to this strange new art form like a drug. Through Space Invader, he immerses himself in the street art movement by awkwardly mingling with some of its biggest artists- who happen to think he’s filming a documentary. Thierry’s addiction gives him a whole new high when circumstance leads him to meet his idol: the one and only Banksy.

The mysterious British street artist allows the bizarre Frenchman to record him for a while- provided he doesn’t film his face. Soon enough though, Banksy realizes Thierry isn't the film maker he made himself out to be. In an attempt to shoo Thierry away in the most positive way he can, Banksy urges him to go out and create his own art. Little does he know how extreme Thierry will take this order. 

The ever elusive Banksy in an interview

Exit Through the Gift Shop is one solid documentary. The movie fully explores something I initially shrugged off as graffiti through engaging interviews and behind the scenes footage of street artists at work. I was actually surprised to find out the lengths some artists go to and how political their messages can get- especially when we see Banksy place a dummy dressed like a Guantanamo Bay inmate by a Disneyland roller coaster.

Much of the footage in the movie actually comes right from Thierry's haphazardly recorded material. While his camera work isn't the best, the decision to include it really benefits the movie in unexpected ways. By seeing events unfold through Thierry's perspective, we get to experience them the way he did. Through this approach, we actually learn much more about him than we could have otherwise.  

A stencil of Thierry, armed with his camera.

At times, Exit Through the Gift Shop can also be downright funny, with much of the humor stemming from Thierry's bumbling nature and outright weirdness. I just couldn't help but laugh at parts when Thierry spilled gallons of paint in his trunk or acted like a little kid whenever Banksy spoke to him. 

This humor serves as a sharp contrast to some of the major themes the movie explores towards the end. After Thierry attempts to make his own work, the movie really urges us to think: what is art? Is it something that should just be created for profit, or should there be something more to it? 

In the end, Exit Through the Gift Shop sets itself apart from other movies by simultaneously serving as a documentary and a character study. The result is one of the most unique and thought provoking movies you will ever see. My verdict is a perfect 10 out of 10.