Banksy, an artist, an enigma and now a film maker. What is his topic subject about? What else but his own profession and the one everyone associates with him. Street Art. Does the film allow us into the world of the street artiste in question, well yes and no. The film isn't majority based about "him" but revolves around an unusual French shop keeper living in L.A, Thierry Guetta.
From the off we learn that this man loves to capture his every moment on film. He is never without his portable camcorder, (we later learn that he had missed out on his mothers passing with his family failing to inform him of her illness until it was too late) capturing every mundane detail, to capturing sport stars on the streets of LA, to recording his children playing, everyone around him has gotten use to his obsessive "hobby". He also happens to be related to a street artist by the name of Invader.
Guetta follows Invader and captures him doing his street art and from there on in Guetta becomes fascinated and follows him everywhere he goes where he eventually meets up with other renowned street artist. As his obsession grows his recordings increase and he eventually captures almost every known street artist on film bar one, Banksy. Fate however seems to be on hand, Banksy has planned a visit to LA an is in need of some assistance in finding good locations on the streets. Through a mutual colleague Banksy is hooked up with Guetta (who better!) As the documentary unfolds Guetta starts to dabble a bit himself and later transforms himself to become Mr BrainWash.
Before the real agenda of the documentary becomes apparent, you realise that this documentary isn't really about Banksy himself. We do get footage of him working on his stencils and installations but we never find out who the man is or anything new about him. In fact this documentary seems ridicule the way in which the public cotton on to street art and how easily fooled they are, thinking that MrBrainWash is an important and relevant street artist. When Banksy looked at Guetta's immense amount of footage acquired over the years, Banksy persuades him to get his footage together and make a documentary. When Guetta shows him the finished product, Banksy was fails to be impressed. He realises that Guetta is not really a man suited to the job of showing the profession and the workings of fellow artists, so he decides to take over. Hence this film.
With Banksy busy editing his documentary Guetta asks him what he should do, Banksy replies by saying he should create some art. Taking his advice literally Guetta sets out on changing himself and becomes determined to put on an exhibition. What is shown is that hype and who you know can get you anywhere. An inspiring piece of determination and a lot of help from other established street artist, Guetta (MBW) becomes the talk of the town. With influences from other artists, Guetta creates hundreds and hundreds of works of art. He recreates, alters and imitates works of art he has seen either through books or his own personal experiences. The finished article becomes a little like something similar, works that look like someone else's.... a pale imitation. With the current trend and popularity of street art, MBW became a massive talking point in the art world which guarantees him some notoriety. A mass marketed factory where all artists are hired to recreate styles and images from existing pieces of works where the mass market is fooled into believing that Guetta aka MrBrainWash is the next big thing in the art world.
It is a fascinating portrayal of a man who is very likable but who seems to be on a quest for a purpose in life. He finds this when he becomes an overnight sensation as a street artist. A sly and clever look at the public's urge and obsession to try to catch on to the latest craze in art. Clearly MBW is not an artist in the traditional sense but what he has done is show that talent doesn't equate to success. The whole documentary has become an experiment and leaves you questioning what is art and who or what can define you as an artist. Sometimes you watch this and you wonder if the whole thing isn't just an elaborate joke concocted by Banksy to laugh at the paying public who will buy anything they think is of artist value whether it be in merit or by hype. To dismiss it as a joke is far too easy as Guetta does seem like a genuine man who just so happens to get lucky on his project. I don't think anybody was prepared for the amount of work he was going to display and when the public went to the opening exhibition they lapped it up like masses of brainless zombies. He has truly brainwashed the public and for that you have to applaud the man.
A very well made documentary that will leave you with questions as well as some very funny and thought provoking ideas on art. Does a quote from another artist give you credibility? Does familiarity breed contempt? Or does it give people a sense of comfort, that it reminds them of something else. Something better. Narrated by Rhys Ifans.
Narrative n/a
Acting n/a
Technical Merit 4/5
Entertainment 4.5/5
8.5/10
An offer of a big deal comes along in shape of a large buyer and Frank goes to his suppler Milo to obtain the goods. Milo is reluctant to give him that much without money upfront as Frank still owes a substantial amount but on the condition that Frank pays him the following day, Frank accepts. When he goes to do the deal with the buyer, things start to go very bad for him as the police are waiting for him and he has to throw away tip all the goods into a lake. In the following few days Frank has to come up with a large amount of money or face the consequences.
What comes across you straight away is the immediacy and intensity in the way in which the camera follows our protagonist. Medium close up and long cuts pushes the audience closer into the seedy world of drug pushers and the criminal world. confined spaces in the car and apartments makes it feel claustrophobic and trapped in this underground business.
A powerful and harsh look into the world of drug dealers shot with roughness and unremorseless savagery. With the character Frank, we not suppose to sympathise with, but he shows enough emotion that there is a connection that he is still human underneath it all. A great performance from all involved, mesmerising and monstrous in equal measure. It's a film that will burn in your memory for a long time.
