Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Exit Through The Gift Shop
Exit Through The Gift Shop is an excellent observational documentary about street art and the street artist Banksy and Thierry Guetta. It starts out talking about various street artists and where the do their art. It has interviews with many and follows them as they prep and do their art. The film was originally about street artists but Guetta met street artist Banksy along the way and the camera was then turned onto Guetta and was about his rise as a street artist. 
The film is about Shepard Fairey who is known for his OBEY posters, Space Invader, Banksy, and Thierry Guetta. It addresses the conflict with street artists and the police, and street artists motives and the messages they intend to get across. 
The film had a few literary aspects, including conflict with street artists and the police, and in the end Banksy and Guetta. The film had a dark and yet adventurous mood and took place in multiple locations, such as London, New York, and LA.  The point of view was mostly that of a member of the street artists crew or friends who help them to put up their art. 
There was little dramatic aspects to the film because it was a very raw documentary with little prep for the footage, which was mostly taken by hand held cameras going along with street artists. There were interviews which took place in rooms that were probably post shooting of the raw footage. The film was very uncommercial and non dramatic. 
The cinematic aspects of the film were more obvious, such as music over the movie and narration and diegetic sound. The shots were mostly from hand held cameras being held by the director himself, and lighting was flashlights at night when posters were being put up, and light on interviewees (except Banksy who prefers to stay anonymous).
It was an overall great film that really brings you into the world of graffiti and street art. After watching it it really made me want to go out and tag things up (i didn't of course). The film shows you the motives of street artists and is inspiring, though it makes you have doubts about Guetta's purposes. It seems that he only does street art for fame and fun, whereas people like Banksy and Shepard Fairey do it to get a message across.
If you have time go watch the film, it is definitely worth it. 

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