Exit Through the Gift Shop

I recently saw the documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop directed by Bansky. This film follows the life of amateur film maker Thierry Guetta (aka Mr. Brainwash), as he discovers the world of illegal street art. The documentary begins with an overview of Guetta's life, he's an average french man living in L.A, he owns a high end thrift store and has the interesting quirk of filming every waking moment of his life. While on vacation with his family, Guetta has a chance encounter with his cousin, a street artist named Invader, this causes Guetta to become obsessed with street art, he follows many famous street artists around, including Shepards Feirey and Bansky himself, Guetta captures their works, then he soon tries his hand at his own art and become very successful.
There is definitely some literary aspects to this film, it has many characters that include all the street artists that Guetta encountered, it also has an overarching plot of Guetta's rise to fame. The only conflicts in this movie are some run ins with the police, and the overall resentment of some of the other street artists. The setting is all over, as Guetta travels around the world to film prominent artists in the graffiti world. The point of view is mostly from Guetta himself, but both Bansky and Shepards Fairey chime in as well.
There is less dramatic aspects and cinematic aspects in this film, most of the shots in this film were captured by Guetta himself, as he travels with these artists. Everything is in real time, there is no acting, or sets, or make up in this documentary, except for interviews with both Bansky and Shepards Fairey.
I would recommend this documentary to anyone who shares this interest in art, I do think it is necessary to warn people that Guetta will not be your favorite character, he comes off as crazy, to the point he looks almost mentally ill, and at times it is very hard to connect with his character. Root for Bansky and the rest of the artists.

Exit Through the Gift Shop
1hr 30 mins
Rated R