If I’m the film distributor who picked up Exit Through the Gift Shop for the U.S theatrical play, I’d probably go underground as well. As an artist who purposely “guns down” all forms of branding, it would be odd for a distributor to come in and swoop up the rights to the docu film – as I mentioned before, perhaps the logistics of not knowing how to market the film is something that the Cinetic folks are hearing from prospective buyers. You release the film in the same mindset as the film. Now I’m not saying this is the case, but “A Producers Distribution Agency release” sounds fictive and apropos for this unique occasion. Of course, it could be a DIY release, but regardless, the film will be released April 16th, and if I’m a fan and happen to be a New Yorker, I’m on high alert for some of Banksy’s work to pop up around that time. If my hunch is right, please send us links.
Banksy is a graffiti artist with a global reputation whose work can be seen on walls from post-hurricane New Orleans to the Palestinian segregation wall in the West Bank. Fiercely guarding his anonymity to avoid prosecution Banksy has so far resisted all attempts to be captured on film. Exit Through the Gift Shop is the story of how an eccentric French shop keeper and amateur film maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner with spectacular results. Billed as ‘the world’s first street art disaster movie’ the film contains exclusive footage of Banksy, Shephard Fairey, Invader and many of the world’s most infamous graffiti artists at work.
