Watch: Exit Through the Gift Shop

Netflix recently added the documentary "Exit Through The Gift Shop" to their instant streaming list.  This doc has received much hype on the festival circuit and praise from just about everyone I happen to personally know. A couple of nights ago I finally had a chance to sit down and watch it(which is a miracle considering the issues I have been having with my ISP as of late...grrr)


"Exit" is the story of Thierry Guetta, french immigrant living in Los Angeles.  He has been living life with cameras and video cameras documenting just about every s tep he takes.  Everyone close to him got so used to it, they mostly forgot the camera was even there.  Eventually Thierry becomes drawn in to the street art world and culture, and wishes to document it.  Not necessarily make a film or documentary, just capture it on film.  Eventually after some time, he befriends and gains the trust of such street artists as "Space Invader" , Shepard Fairey and "Banksy"(who was pretty elusive). 

Eventually, standing on the sideline filming is not enough, and Thierry starts to try his hand at street art, and then eventually goes on to have a huge opening of his gallery of work in Los Angeles which lead to him selling right around a million dollars worth of his artwork.

Many people who have seen this documentary question if everything is being played straight.  Is this just an elaborate hoax?  Is Thierry just a wannabe con artist, ripping off the ideas of others?  Is this really just a big prank on the art world itself. After all most street art by it's very nature is meant to be anti-establishment and against the norm, not something to be co-opted and sold to the highest bidder.

There are many layers to this film,
but no matter what your personal opinion is on what exactly is going on, the fact is
this film is damn entertaining.
If you have netflix, do yourself a favor
avoid the movie theater this round and watch this instead!!!