Oscars 2011: Talking with Mr. Brainwash, aka Thierry Guetta of 'Exit Through the Gift Shop,' about Banksy and Oscar night

When you spot Thierry Guetta, a.k.a. Mr. Brainwash, on the street, there is only one way to react. Make a U-turn, grab a video camera and start filming.

That's exactly what I did Friday when I happened to spot Guetta -- rogue filmmaker, friend of Banksy and the enigmatic French guy who creates urban art under that Mr. Brainwash pseudonym in the Academy Award-nominated documentary "Exit Through the Gift Shop" -- posing for photos with fans in front of his signature Oscar mural on L.A.'s La Brea Avenue. (At least it certainly appears to be his. His signature is on it.)

Despite the protests of a female handler of undetermined European descent who didn't seem to trust a Washington Post reporter -- we don't normally do interviews with people we don't know, she said, remaining skeptical even after examining said reporter's Academy-issued credential badge -- Guetta agreed to speak briefly on-camera. I asked him whether Banksy will appear at the Oscars (he seemed uncertain), whether the pre-Oscar stencils and paintings appearing all over town are his handiwork or Banksy's (he was vague on that point, too) and whether he's going to the Academy Awards.

The answer to that last question is yes. And, according to Guetta, Mr. Brainwash will be wearing Dolce & Gabbana. Watch the interview below, then proceed to the jump for another video in which Guetta discusses his future filmmaking plans.

Mr. Brainwash on his future in filmmaking: