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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

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'Exit Through the Gift Shop' documentary showcases mysterious artist Banksy

Banksy
Banksy
(
Courtesy of banksyfilm.com
)

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'Exit Through the Gift Shop' documentary showcases mysterious artist Banksy
Listen to an extended interview with KPCC's Alex Cohen and "Exit Through the Gift Shop" consulting producer Roger Gastman.

This month, the world's first "street art disaster movie" opens in theaters across the country. It's a documentary called "Exit Through the Gift Shop." Listen to an interview with KPCC's Alex Cohen and one of the film's producers, Roger Gastman.

“Exit Through the Gift Shop” started out as documentary about the street art scene, made by Thierry Guetta. Guetta is a Frenchman living in Los Angeles, who also goes by Mr. Brainwash.

Guetta’s film took a very different turn when he encountered an incredibly secretive British artist with a funny name — Banksy.

The artist Banksy is known for shenanigans like hanging one of his own paintings in the Louvre and printing pound notes with Princess Diana’s face instead of the Queen’s. Here's a photo of a life-size replica of a Guantanamo Bay detainee Banksy installed at Disneyland:


Photo courtesy of banksyfilm.com

And here's a live elephant from Banksy's 2006 exhibit in L.A. called "Barely Legal":

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Photo courtesy of banksyfilm.com

Once Banksy met Guetta, things began to change with the documentary... the film transformed from one made by Thierry Guetta to one about him.

Watch the trailer for "Exit Through the Gift Shop":

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