Sponsored message
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

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 Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

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

Banksy
Banksy
(
Courtesy of banksyfilm.com
)

Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.

Listen 8:14
'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":

Sponsored message


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":

I invite you to visit my blog. Please also join me on Twitter.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible year-end gift today

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right