If Banksy's EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP Wins An Oscar, Banksy Won't Be On-Stage...

Merrick here...

If you haven't had a chance to see EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP, it's currently available via Netflix streaming and can be had on Blu-Ray and DVD HERE.  It's a documentary about street art - but this characterization is oversimplified and does not do the picture justice.  It's compelling,  thought provoking, and is up for Documentary (Feature) at this year's Oscars.  

Which means "Banksy", EXIT's enigmatic, controversial, and anonymous director is encompassed within the nomination.  Leaving the Academy in something of a quandary:  what to do if Banksy actually receives an Oscar?  Very, very, very few people are privy to his true identity.  His real name has been conjectured but never confirmed, photos of a man purported to be Banksy have been published but were not verified, and he kept himself skillfully anonimized (yes, I know that's not a real word) and obscured in his own movie. 

TheWrap has a piece on behind-the-scenes maneuverings regarding the film's potential win.  

"The fun but disquieting scenario," said the Academy's executive director, Bruce Davis, on Monday, "is if that film wins and five guys in monkey masks come to the stage all saying, 'I'm Banksy!' Who the hell do we give it to?"

[EDIT]

Davis and Academy president Tom Sherak huddled at a table with Jaimie D'Cruz, the producer of "Exit Through the Gift Shop," who is also nominated for the award, and with an executive producer. And on Tuesday afternoon, Sherak told TheWrap that he thought they'd come to an agreement on what might happen if "Exit" wins – a scenario, he hopes, that involves neither Banksy nor anybody claiming to be him.

"The reason we had that conversation," Sherak said, "was that we had to make sure we were all comfortable with what would happen if he was to win, knowing that he doesn't want anybody to know who he is."

If Banksy isn't comfortable showing his face on the Kodak stage, Sherak said, then the Academy isn't comfortable having him on that stage.

In the article, Sherak mentions that Banksy showing up in a monkey mask to collect his Oscar - a rumored MO for the artist/director - would not be "dignified."  I certainly understand that knee-jerk assessment, but would also argue that such unpredictable and edginess might do wonders for the stayed and grey perception many people have of the Academy (not that the Academy cares what people think - nor should it).  

I do, however, completely understand concerns about possibly awarding an Oscar to an imposter on live television, although I can envision a number of measures that could ensure the alleged "Banksy"  receiving the trophy is the guy for whom it was intended.  I suspect  that, in the end, this all comes down to the "dignity" issue. 

As is, it seems that Jaimie D'Cruz, EXIT's producer (mentioned) above, will accept on Banksy's behalf should EXIT actually garner the Documentary (Feature) Oscar.  A completely practical solution, although a potentially imposter Banksy in a monkey mask would make for far more interesting and memorable television I should think.

Check out TheWrap's insightful assessment of the conundrum HERE.

Find samples of Banksy's art HERE - his site can be accessed HERE.

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