Director: Banksy
Producers: Holly Cushing, Jaimie D’Cruz, James Gay-Rees
Starring: Thierry Guetta, Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Space Invader
Narration: Rhys Ifans
MPAA Rating: R
Running time: 87 min.
(3.5/5)For this author, documentaries can often be a difficult pill to swallow. Not for lack of quality or substance, but often the subject matter is just not sufficient to hold my interest for a full 90 minutes (or more). Exit Through the Gift Shop managed to keep my attention for its entire run time… barely. It ended when it needed to and was (and should be) compelling enough to anyone with an interest in the arts. Whether it be paining, sculpting, abstract art or even (and maybe especially) film making.
The general idea was originally for a self-proclaimed film maker to film as much subversive, often political, often covert and usually illegal street art “perpetrated” by a wide array of artists spanning the globe. Under the guise and promise that a feature film documentary would emerge from the footage, thereby not only preserving the usually short lived street art but also bringing to the forefront the message and intent of this artistic movement. As filming continued for years, it became evident that the film would never get made and instead, the film maker himself became involved in making a (big) name for himself as a street artist while one of the main artists focused on within the film is actually the one who put this whole experience together for you and I to enjoy.
Most likely what you’ll take away from this movie is more in the realm of conversation about art. What is art? What is not art? Should art be used for marketing or a political statement? Or neither. Or both? It’s interesting that the film doesn’t actually tackle this subject with much depth. It’s mostly just alluded to or simply flat out asked of its audience rather than discussed. As we watch the story of Thierry Guetta as he goes from being just a guy who video tapes stuff to one of the biggest overnight sensations within the art world, those already solidified within this “society” begin to question not only Thierry’s motives, but also his goals. Ultimately its obvious they’re fairly bitter with the outcome.
The most interesting bits of the film are actually nearer the beginning and the tail end. After the initial, rather uninteresting introduction of the original film maker we begin to get to witness all of the interesting things people were (are) doing in the street art movement. Much of it is small while others literally scale entire sides of a building. Why they are doing it and how they go about getting it displayed without getting arrested is explored. After all, many in society at large will deem their work as nothing more than vandalism or at best, interesting graffiti. After the film makes its “as marketed” turn in structure and message, we’re now engaged in the fundamentals and logistics of the large scale side of the art world; including mass production and profit-based gallery showings.
The title of the film says it all. I believe it to be commentary on what art is not supposed to be (according to this film maker). It is not for sale. Art is not made for glory or recognition or profit. Art is for the artist and for spectators to take away whatever they want to take away from it. It is there as an expression of emotion or any number of beliefs. Sometimes it is there to simply exist and look cool (or uncool). The reasons are many, but it clearly should not exist as a novelty item for someone to make a buck from in the eyes of these subjects. Or should it?
Many of the participants (street artists) in the film, although agreeing to be video taped, refuse to allow their faces to be shown even during the interview bits of the documentary. This adds a little mystery to the subject matter and actually keeps the on street messages that much more interesting and the secrecy of the artists is in and of itself part of the allure of the piece and the statement being made.
Though the stakes are not as high, therefore not quite as compelling or nail-biting, Exit Through the Gift Shop has a few bits not unlike 2009′s The Cove, with its use of some overnight illegal activities that can be exciting in their disregard for the law and as harrowing with its sense of adventure and dangerous locales.
The film does bog down a little bit in the middle with more repetition on Thierry’s early life and his obsession with filming things. Though I understand why within the context of the film this had to be reiterated, it was nonetheless a little redundant and frankly pretty uninteresting; though it was mercifully short. Also a 9/11 anniversary stunt at Disneyland was carried out rather weakly compared to the buildup and ultimately just absurd. It ended up being more of a distasteful prank rather than a statement or something particularly artful.
In the end this is a neat look at some genuinely talented people trying to make interesting and aesthetically pleasing bits of display for all to see. It gives insight behind a unique world that would otherwise probably have gone unseen. The spokesman behind it all (Thierry Guetta) has a darker charisma, sleazy charm and an almost creepy passion for what he does; sort of like the Kryptonite version of Man on Wire’s Philippe Petit. The talking head portions are concise and witty while the art we get to see made is interesting and fun to watch being displayed.
Hey there. Just found this out!
Mr. Brainwash presents: ICONS REMIX – Reopening Sunday May 9th, Mother’s Day with new art and installations. 415 W 13th street New York, NY 10014.
Alright, nowhere to put this but here. Why is every movie web site (podcast) I listen to treating Rhys Ifans like he’s a nobody? At the very least he’s a recognizable character actor that you’ve seen in a ton of stuff. But I’ve been following this guy since Michel Gondry’s hilarious Human Nature in 2001. He’s the only memorable (and again hilarious) thing in Notting Hill (a huge Blockbuster) and is a fairly major side character in a ton of movies that people didn’t exactly ignore (Danny Deckchair, The Replacements, The Shipping News, Pirate Radio, Exit Through the Gift Shop, Greenberg and on and on). I refuse to believe that film fans “have never heard of this guy”. And now he’s slated to be in the next shitty Spider-Man movie and suddenly he’s big news. What gives?
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0406975/
And I realize few people have had the chance to check it out, but he’s also in 2009′s amazing Mr. Nobody.
fans of Exit Through the Gift Shop need to watch Welles’ F is For Fake, lots of parallels between the two.
And he is GREAT in Greenberg. I like Ifans character work a lot. He is quite excellent in the small role he has in Mr. Nobody.
“fans of Exit Through the Gift Shop need to watch Welles’ F is For Fake, lots of parallels between the two.”
I didnt enjoy ETTGS the first time I saw it today and attempted to rewatch it today, and ended up turning it off. On the other hand, when I first watched F for Fake, and when I rewatched that around a year ago, I was absolutely blown away and thoroughly impressed.
I think “Exit…” may be my least favorite film of the year. Not the worst of the year but least favorite, and I think its because its one of those rare cases where the universal and IMO undeserved love for it aggravates me into disliking it more. I think its poorly assembled, I think the players are boring, I think it doesnt communicate any point very well and way more its up to the viewer to try and attach meaning to it (aka I think it lacks teeth). And I think theres too much unnecessary self-mythmaking going on. I don’t think much of any of these artists or their work, whereas I have nothing but respect for Welles’ goofiness and find the F for Fakers much more intriguing. They did it better, and they did it 40 years ago. WIth that in mind its hard for me to consider ETTGS as progressive or all that subversive.
Haters gotta hate.
I thought it was perfectly ok, not great, just ok
Goon. As luck would have it. We are indeed doing F For Fake on the January edition of THE MOVIE CLUB PODCAST. Couple with Catfish.
“Haters gotta hate.”
Haters gonna hate.*
I stand corrected. Or maybe I dont. Haters gotta hate too. If i’m in the 3% of 100 who don’t like something, once in a while it sets off the immature-response-mechanism which you attempt to wrap up in flowery language and big words so you dont just look like Caveman Hater. Maybe it should be dubbed Armand White Syndrome.
Funny, I was just talking to a group of people about this film and we came to the conclusion that we can’t imagine anyone not enjoying it. Now I am here and apparently we stand corrected.
Aslo, Ifans is awesome.
I enjoyed the film more in hindsight and for the discussion it brings about rather than the film itself.
for me the best discussion the film can offer is about the value of art inflated by hype and association… but to me you can get that same discussion reacting to seeing Katy Perry on the cover of Maxim in place of someone with actual substance… and I can get to that conversation at just a glance rather than an hour and a half of very mediocre at best filmmaking
I suppose nobody (and by that I mean filmmakers) wants to talk about things in a straightfaced manner anymore. Exit Through the Gift Shop is (for me) not in the same league as F for Fake (which is a true, down-and-dirty-gonzo-showman magician act), but Banksy’s film is a solid bit of entertaining doc/mock/prank-umentary. It is fun, and has a rather absurd central character and certainly does not outstay its welcome at 84 minutes. I can see why there is debate around the films veracity but it is not necessary to get where the film is coming from (for the record, I hope it is a prank (putting it more in the category of the ‘Chinaman in The Prestige’ territory – awesome but not all that high on showmanship, but I fear the latter that it is all too banal and real.)
When F for Fake goes into Chartres Cathedral territory it hits a dizzying height of what it means to make and experience art that Exit Through the gift Shop is nowhere capable of. It is not just a ploy to pull the rug from under you, it does have something to say.