Banksy Film

By now Banksy is a pretty well known name amongst people who live in cities, under the age of 30. Whether or not you fit that description, you may not have known that there has been a Banksy film in the works - Exit Through the Gift Shop. Premiering at Sundance 2010, the film features footage of several of the most famous graffiti painters in the world including Space Invader, Andre, Shepard Fairey, and of course, Banksy. There is footage of  several of these artists at work and also exclusive up close scenes with the masked man himself. It looks as if there are several twists to the expected, which is exactly what we've come to expect from Banksy and the film only does wonders for furthering the Banksy mythos.  One description of the film says "L.A.-based filmmaker Terry Guetta set out to record this secretive world in thrilling detail. For more than eight years he traveled with a backpack through Europe and America. After he met a British street artist known only as Banksy, things took a bizarre turn," while others have added, "The film tells the story of an eccentric shop-keeper-turned-documentary-maker who attempts to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on him."

So while the identity of Banksy is certainly never revealed, nor any rumors confirmed, it's not even clear whether in the end Banksy may have actually directed it or not. John Cooper, Sundance Festival Director, said "Sundance has shown films by unknown artists, but never an anonymous one." Oh Banksy, you sly motherfucker. The world can only wait to see what you do next.

 

Exit Through the Gift Shop is currently premiering at several US locations over the course of this month and next, but unfortunately there is no showing in Portland. Lame! So if you want to, go ahead and tease yourself with this trailer like I did and eagerly wait to see the full feature somewhere, somehow. You'll be the first to know if I find out.

Exit Through the Gift Shop -