Director

Aurélia Rouvier, Seamus Haley

France | 2020 | 82 min | French, English

• Producer Laurent Richard, Lea Gabrié
• Production Company Cross Borders Films, Scarlett Production, Canal+
• Screenplay Laurent Richard, Aurélia Rouvier
• Cinematography Joseph Haley, Mathias Denizo, Thiabult Delavigne, Raoul Seigneur
• Editing Seamus Haley
• Sound
• Cast
• Contacts

  Mediawan

  suzanne.nodale@mediawan.com

About the Film

British street artist Banksy is both an enigma and a household name. His art—and especially the way he (or is it she?) both delivers it and keeps his identity a closely guarded secret—always attracts plenty of media coverage and accompanying debate, in terms of the artistic skills and delivery as well as the political provocation that drives the work.

Banksy’s satirical street art originated from the Bristol underground art scene (originally as collaborations with musicians) and he later specialized in art on public spaces.

Banksy’s name and identity have long been the subject of intense speculation. Over the years, various names have been suggested, with journalists attempting to reveal the truth. What has remained remarkable is that Banksy has kept up a secret identity in a period when public surveillance on the streets has intensified, especially given the fact public spaces remain his favoured artistic backdrop.

The secretive way his artwork is delivered means that there is no real clarity as to the artistic techniques involved, though it is clear he uses a series of stencils to create intricate images. The work itself blends ironic humor with anti-establishment images, always retaining a notion of political and social commentary.

Filmmakers Aurélia Rouvier and Seamus Haley have delved into the myths and speculation around Banksy, offering up a series of theories about who Banksy might actually be, each intriguing and possibly convincing.

In the end, though, the controversy around Banksy’s identity is perhaps the key element that keeps the artwork provocative and challenging, and despite the Banksy brand having exploded around the world—the 2010 documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop made its debut at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and played internationally—a new piece of work remains a cultural event.

Mark Adams