Look – A spray painting rat!
For some reason this mocko has been garnering high praise from film critics the world over – I for one can’t see why – it is little more than a big ad and self-publicity for the allegedly hype, publicity and kudos shy street artist Banksy.
Yep Banksy has been lying low of late, from his guest intro on The Simpsons to his sold out exhibits and this film, you can just tell the guy hates everything to do with fame and exposure. Poor bloke.
Maybe he should direct another documentary that laments what a public figure he has become where he interviews a bunch of people asking why they are so interested in him?
My theory is that many critics are how-you say? slightly older and perhaps don’t understand why this “street-art” thingo is so damn cool, so they give a positive review for fear that they are deemed out of touch by the young audience reading their stuff. Those that extol the virtues of something they don’t fully understand are afraid of being “square”, kinda like the guys who worship Fight Club and think in an ideal world they would so totally be right into that y’know?
I can’t argue…
I for one also don’t understand why street-art is so sought after, aside from some of the cool designs and imagery much of seems like petty vandalism to me. The opening scenes in the mocko showed various (ahem) “artists” randomly spray painting walls and trains with no discernable talent.
I pay taxes, taxes that go towards cleaning up that mess. Lock those pricks up.
Back to “Aw stop paying attention to me and all my attention seeking antics Banksy. In Exit through the Gift Shop he has created a fictional character Thierry Guetta, a man who runs a fashion shop for idiots who by recycled clothing that must be cool and fashionable because it is expensive and purchased from an expensive shop.
Apparently Thierry carries a camera everywhere, and as his cousin was a street artist himself he follows him around documenting his work. That hobby turned into a passion – and all of the sudden Thierry is off spending months at a time following round various artists in many countries and filming their work – what his wife, young kids and business thought is not really explained, after all this is a film not about Banksy, not-not about Thierry.
… the stuff is eye-catching…
So once Thierry is an insider and trusted in the industry he is introduced to the mysterious Banksy, who is interviewed with a blurred face and a distorted voice. The film then shows how street art became commercial and much sought after, and how Banksy himself said “fuck publicity” by holding his own show, selling his stuff and painting an elephant.
How anti-establishment! I hope no-one buys more of his work thanks to this 86 minute advertisement… I mean subversive documentary deploring just how popular and profitable his art has become.
Banksy goes on to slyly imply how hard it is to remain sucked in by the hype and money and retain one’s integrity and artistic drive – all by showing how Thierry does the opposite once he recognizes there might be a buck or two in it.
I for one applaud Banksy for letting us the public know just how hard it is to maintain a low profile and not let publicity and cash get in the way of staying true to yourself. Especially considering he wrote and directed a film that could easily be misconstrued as a flagrant vanity piece.
… and leaves a clear message.
It must also be said that some of the street-art is really very creative and cool, often with clever meanings and messages.
But I’d never say that to Banksy.
I think he’d want it that way.
Final Rating – 6.5 / 10. I thought I’d like this going in until the “feel sorry for me” message got too much to bear. Banksy you do some cool shit but releasing a 90 minute ad is not the way to tell people to leave you alone.
