In the extract of cinema urbanism, Nezar ALSayyad has carried out three films that illustrate the evolution of voyeurism. And how it has raised further social problems such as privacy, gender equality and power.
Modern surveillance has always been a controversial topic. It avoids “peeping Tom” behaviors (it monitors criminal behaviors), yet itself is a “peeping tom” that is widely available for powerful authorities. As mentioned in all three films, powerful authorities, usually males, have the access. Which has led the problem to transform from power inequality to gender inequality, as women at this point are being objectified. This encourages me to brainstorm further, modern surveillance can also be considered as a political issue. In modern days, the government has the most control over CCTVs and all the possible cameras and lenses. On the positive side, it decreases the crime rate. However it reduces personal privacy and the most basic human rights. Therefore, the problem of finding the balance between citizens’ safety and privacy has been raised and never been solved.
Jingyang Guo, 3035853975, u3585397