Exit Through The Gift Shop - The Banksy film in a subway tunnel

Graf on Leake Street, SE1.

Banky's message to Goths.

Lion installation inside the cinema tunnel.

My personal escort to the Banky cinema, ta Specky :-)

Well, blimey. I was working at the London College of Fashion the other week and it was on the same day that Mr Banksy was showing previews of his art adventure film, Exit Through The Gift Shop.

So, I jump in a black cab at about 8.45pm and ask the licensed taxi driver to take me please to Waterloo so I can find the film which was showing, I understood, underneath Waterloo station. Being a Londoner, and I was actually born in what was Waterloo hospital for Women, I thought it'd be a safe bet that I could locate Banksy's temporary cinema. I walks through a maze of tunnels and no joy. I pop into the National Film Theatre, order a coffee and ask if anyone knows where the Banksy film is showing. Blank faces.

Then, I venture out into the concrete jungle once more. Now, I know the film is on, so I ain't going to be defeated by a small detail like not actually having the address. Finally, I stumble across a group of homeless folk, gathered by a soup fan. "Excuse me, please," I ask politely. "Does anyone know where the Banksy film is showing?" "Down there, on the left." sparks up a man I later find out is called Specky, and he points. "Just look for the graffiti." Result, so I think, but five minutes later, I still haven't encountered the venue and it's pitch black and not a very woman-walking-alone-at-night-friendly part of London town. I return to the homeless gathering and ask Specky if he would mind escorting me. A gentleman indeed, he walks me all the way. Finally, we are at Leake Street, SE1. What a sight to behold. Banksification of the entire street - walls, boxes, bins all that I can see has been graff-ed up Banksy-style. We get to the cinema door and are greeted by a proper looking bouncer who enquires after my ticket. I explain Mr Banksy didn't issue me with one and he politely gets the bloke in charge.

I forget his name, but what a fabulous looking geezer he is with red hair and a beard. He kindly explains the film started ten minutes ago and then ushers me through a twisted mass of railway tunnels all splattered with Banksy installations, into the plush theatre with red velvet seats. The house is packed, bar one empty seat which I am taken to.

Loved the film. Absolutely hilarious and an amazing insight into the bizarre world of graf artists. Ten minutes before the end, I am feeling somewhat uncomfortable by the presence of the audience: I get the atmospheric impression that they are analysing rather than just enjoying the documentary spectacle that is Exit Through The Gift shop. Knowing I am going watch this film all through at least one more time, I head out for a breather into the tunnels. Can't look at those moving hot dogs in glass tanks beside the ice cream van but do have a nice laugh and chat with Banksy staff and the bouncer (who has to drive back to Brighton after this gig). When the auditorium starts to empty out I help Levi and girls from Pictures on Walls to inform the punters that they can buy a spray can for £3 and leave a tag on the way out. "Go on, only 3 squid, treat yourself" I emplore. But we are meant with mainly slightly scared, blankish faces. It looked to me like the middle classes trying to get the heads around street culture.

Top night, what a film and get yourself to Leake Street asap. It's amazing. Should be a no.1 London attraction. I wonder if you can get a whole street 'listed'?