Voyeurism can be described as looking at someone without being seen. It is basically referring to someone being a “Peeping Tom.” Voyeurism can be related to a power struggle. The viewer is abusing their power by aggressively and secretly gazing at their victim. The victim does not know they are being watched and thus has no power. This action boarders on being ethically immoral and is very creepy. Camera angles are a big part of how a viewer of a movie can notice voyeurism taking place within a film.
Voyeurism can be seen in the Hitchcock movie, Vertigo. During a number of scenes, the private detective Scottie is secretly following Judy as she goes about her everyday life. In one shop that takes place within a flower shop, Scottie is shown lurking in the shadows by the back door. The camera is angled so the viewers have Scotties view. At this point, Judy walks very closely to the camera (were Scottie is hiding) and then very far away again without noticing Scottie. This strategic positioning of the camera helps heighten the suspense of the voyeurism within the film.
Also in the film, scopophilia can be found. Scopophilia can be defined as the pleasure of looking. Scopophilia helps drive the movement of the camera angles within a film. This can be seen in the film every time Scottie erotically and longingly gazes at Judy, for he is memorized and almost frightened with her at the same time. Generally, scopophilia follows a man’s gaze, not a women’s. This can also be noticed in the film Vertigo because Scottie is doing all of the gazing at Judy.
