World Famous Street Artist Produces an Oscar Nominated Feature

When I heard that this was a film by produced by the infamous graffiti artist Banksy and that it was a movie based around an LA shop owner (Thierry Guetta) who was making a film about an infamous graffiti artist (Banksy), it was like a happy little jingle went off in my soul.

After my brother told me a million times that the movie was a must-see, I finally sat down and watched it. Needless to say, I was pleasantly entertained.

If you haven’t watched it yet, be warned. The film is clouded with intrigue and there is much speculation that the entire “documentary” is all just a hoax pulled off by Banksy himself.

My thoughts on that subject?

Who cares! First of all, the movie has a plot and characters you hate/care about. Second, the ultimate themes of the movie are abundantly clear: people will like whatever they’re told to like, creativity doesn’t necessarily mean original, and popularity doesn’t necessarily mean good.

Real or fake, the raw dirty footage and the quality narration comingled perfectly to tell Guetta’s story.

The story is about a man obsessed with his home video camera who stumbles upon an exciting underground lifestyle. Through this new-found way of life, Guetta ends up making a mark within that society.

This film is a true testament of what focus and drive can accomplish, and illuminates an underground world of amazing artistry and subconscious propaganda.

Street art legends Banksy and Shepard Ferry, among others, are captured on tape doing what they love. You can feel the adventure and intrigue through the gritty footage, most of which was shot at night adding to the sense of adventure.

You get to see artists like Shepherd Ferry climb buildings and accomplishing amazing feats of street art, cops arresting the artists, and you really get a sense of how the street art movement beautifies urban structures and enlightens society.

The editing and direction on this film gives you the feeling that you’re part of the story. This is a very well put-together documentary with elements of comedy, action and drama. Regardless of your feelings on art and graffiti you will be entertained throughout.

This bad boy is an Oscar Nominee after all!