Exit Through the Gift Shop

Name: Exit Through the Gift Shop
Genre: Comedy, Documentary
Released: April 16, 2010
Duration: 87 min
Rating: 85
Cast: Banksy, Space Invader, Thierry Guetta

2010

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 27 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 136 Ratings

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8.1

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 136 Ratings

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Exit Through The Gift Shop

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Movie Details & Credits

Producers Distribution Agency (PDA) | Release Date: April 16, 2010 | R

Starring: Banksy, Space Invader, Thierry Guetta

Summary: Exit Through the Gift Shop, the first film by renowned graffiti artist Banksy, became the hottest ticket at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival where it made its world debut. Banksy is a graffiti artist with a global reputation whose work can be seen on walls from post—hurricane New Orleans to the separation barrier on the Palestinian WestExit Through the Gift Shop, the first film by renowned graffiti artist Banksy, became the hottest ticket at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival where it made its world debut. Banksy is a graffiti artist with a global reputation whose work can be seen on walls from post—hurricane New Orleans to the separation barrier on the Palestinian West Bank. Fiercely guarding his anonymity to avoid prosecution, Banksy has so far resisted all attempts to be captured on film. Exit Through the Gift Shop tells the incredible true story of how an eccentric French shop keeper turned documentary maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner – with spectacular results. The film contains exclusive footage of Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Invader and many of the world's most infamous graffiti artists at work, on walls and in interview. As Banksy describes it, "It's basically the story of how one man set out to film the un—filmable. And failed." [Paranoid Pictures]… Expand

Director: Banksy

Genre(s): Comedy, Documentary

Rating: R

Runtime: 87 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Joshua Rothkopf

That rarest of art documentaries, one that actually leaves viewers with a better sense of the gifted versus the phony. Read full review

100

Ty Burr

One of the best, most karmically satisfying comedies of the year, much to the chagrin of the people who are in it. Read full review

Justin Lowe

Hugely entertaining documentary challenges conventional concepts of legitimate art and the creative process. Read full review

Michael Phillips

The brilliantly untrustworthy documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop reminds us that a film can start out in one direction and then change course so radically, it becomes an act of provocation unto itself. Read full review

Shawn Levy

A diverting, playful and puzzling documentary. Read full review

Aaron Hillis

Not just the definitive portrait of street-art counterculture, but also a hilarious exposé on the gullibility of the masses who embrace manufactured creative personas. Read full review

Anthony Lane

As a study in prankhood, this Banksy film can’t touch “F for Fake,” Orson Welles’s 1974 movie about an art forger. Welles both conspired with his untrustworthy subject and held him at arm’s length, like a conjurer with his rabbit, and you came out dazzled by the sleight, whereas Exit Through the Gift Shop feels dangerously close to the promotion of a cult--almost, dare one say it, of a brand. Read full review

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User Reviews

blok

Jan 25, 2011

If the "Academy" were truly looking for the Best Picture, they would have to include this. It was better by far than any 2010 film I've seen, and yes that includes "Black Swan," "Inception," "Winter's Bone," "Social Network," and the way overrated "True Grit." Banksy's movie transcends theIf the "Academy" were truly looking for the Best Picture, they would have to include this. It was better by far than any 2010 film I've seen, and yes that includes "Black Swan," "Inception," "Winter's Bone," "Social Network," and the way overrated "True Grit." Banksy's movie transcends the genre of documentary and lands in virtually unknown territory: factual, farcical, thought-provoking, and really damn entertaining. Is it a hoax? Possibly, but doesn't that only increase Banksy's brilliance? And if you're turned off by the later turn into absurd narrative and biting satire against the art community and popular culture, you can't argue with the first half which focuses almost exclusively on amazing street art sequences. I consider this alongside "Waltz with Bashir" as a documentary that blows all other docs out of the water. It is a total movie experience. Before seeing this I didn't know who Banksy was. One day later he's a personal hero.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

Pointlessreview

Mar 22, 2012

Fantastic even if taken at face value. If elements are false or even if the personality of the main protagonist is a fabrication of Banksy, this would add rather than detract from the experience. Hugely entertaining.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

StevenF

Mar 26, 2013

Perhaps the one of the best documentary/mockumentary to appear in the past decade, excuse the slash, because it is quite hard to tell if this is real or not, either way it is a truly fascinating look at the underworld art of the street, you may know it as graffiti.
Infamous street artistPerhaps the one of the best documentary/mockumentary to appear in the past decade, excuse the slash, because it is quite hard to tell if this is real or not, either way it is a truly fascinating look at the underworld art of the street, you may know it as graffiti.
Infamous street artist Banksy has created this little film using footage of amateur (in every sense of the word) filmmaker Thierry Guetta, who spends most of his life with a camera in his hands. After beginning to follow his street artist cousin Invader around, Thierry is soon introduced to some of the most well-known artists in the world, including famous OBEY artist Shepard Fairey, who seems a bit disillusioned to Guetta, yet continues to let him follow him anyway.
Guetta finally makes acquaintances with Banksy, who is surprised by Guetta's loyalty and persistent nature.
As Banksy's hidden and hooded figure speaks to the camera, he does say that he places full trust in Guetta, particularly after a controversial piece of art at Disneyland involving a blow up doll.
The film is one of the funniest things to witness, Thierry Guetta sort of seems like a lucky guy falling into the right places at the right time, he never shows much intelligence in what he does, never asking pressing questions but silly ones instead, and if this truly was a true documentary, then I'm sure the artists involved also don't quite know what to make of him, Banksy opening the film by saying that it started as a film about him but this guy was much more interesting was hilarious because perhaps its true, he is seemingly an overnight sensation by using other artist's work and throwing dashes of paint and photoshopped wigs on them to pass them off as his own. He did, however, incorporate the name of Mister Brainwash, so perhaps this was just utter genius, selling over one million dollars worth of art, yet barely taking part in any of the work itself.
This is a very simple and witty take on a "legally grey area" of art, and just some of Banksy's art is showcased and we get a glimpse of just how talented this man is, and the risks that himself and other street artists take to evade the law in the name of beauty.
Whether it was real or not, Exit Through the Gift Shop is certainly a must see for art and documentary fans alike, Mister Brainwash is certainly an enigma, but perhaps one that wasn't supposed to happen.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

OscarPicks2010

Dec 11, 2010

The film established this new idea of Banksy creating the street graffiti art, but that is a little misguided. But misguided or not, Exit Through the Gift Shop gives an entertaining look on modern art. We used to think that art is boring and perhaps useless, but the film proposes the idea ofThe film established this new idea of Banksy creating the street graffiti art, but that is a little misguided. But misguided or not, Exit Through the Gift Shop gives an entertaining look on modern art. We used to think that art is boring and perhaps useless, but the film proposes the idea of anyone can be an artist and succeed. The subject, Thierry, was originally a film maker turned into creating art. Most of the art is just photoshop work and Thierry just gave the idea, he did not make the art. Even though Thierry didn't make the art, he still is the famous one after the show. And throughout the film, you see that there's something wrong with this guy! But by the end of the day, he is the one with the money. And that brings up a very interesting question. How the hell did that happen? Exit Through The Gift Shop is entertaining, engrossing, and phenomenonly executed. The movie turns art into a very interesting subject to debate about. OscarBuzz: Best Documentary (Good chance)… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Petrov

Jan 8, 2011

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. On a superficial level, this movie is an interesting documentary about the international street art scene (something most people probably expect when they go and see it) and its shining icon Banksy. However, early in the movie it becomes obvious that the main theme is the radical activism and persistency of a person when it comes to reaching his goals.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RyanGee

Sep 28, 2010

At times when watching a monotonous documentary, there are feelings as though I was placed in a relatively interesting history class. In other words, while many documentaries have some appeal to them, a lot of them lean towards the lets lecture the audience motive instead of actuallyAt times when watching a monotonous documentary, there are feelings as though I was placed in a relatively interesting history class. In other words, while many documentaries have some appeal to them, a lot of them lean towards the lets lecture the audience motive instead of actually creating an entertaining experience. Exit Through The Gift Shop breaks this mold and instead creates a documentary that creates a narrative filled with comedy and artistry that depending on the person, one would hardly disregard. There has been wide speculation that Guettas story is another of Banskys pranks to fool its audience, hence the Brainwash. The artistry that is induced within Guettas works are of ridicule and it causes the audience to question the factuality of the film overall. While that may be called to question, there is no doubt that the film is entertaining. There are some stunning pieces of street art and present is an insight of this sub-mainstream movement. Banksy displays how street art is slowly being sold-out and that it is slowly become more prevalent in society than ever before. Overall, this film is insightful as well as engaging; it is crafted in a manner that it displays a fully played out story, with many elements contributing to the films overall success. It never seizes to be fascinating, and there is a sense of completeness that is absent in many movies of its genre. Anyone with interest in the world of street art or art as a whole will find Banksys film to be both compelling and intuitive.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Marcuslc

Mar 6, 2018

The movie is a pure **** It's bad. Very bad.
It's boring throughout the whole **** movie. -50/10

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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14	#14 Best Movie of 2010
98	#98 Most Shared Movie of 2010