Short Film Sunday: Week 3 - The Neighbors' Window

There are two very different types of people: those who keep their blinds closed and those who leave them open without a care in the world. I find myself right in the middle—craving sunlight and sometimes becoming that naked neighbor. I hope no one is trying to derail my ever-stagnant political career with a nudie shot. But there’s something undeniably intriguing about catching a glimpse into the life of a total stranger, no matter how creepy it might seem.

The film The Neighbors’ Window does a fantastic job showcasing what it’s like to have free television in the form of window watching. Certain cities that thrive on this lifestyle pride themselves on the stranger-window interaction. It creates a bond of commonality that dispersed lives might otherwise never comprehend.

Reality TV and YouTube also capture the intrigue of watching someone else’s life. A few years ago, this might have looked like gossiping about where someone’s kid was going to college or debating whether a punishment was fair. The ability to see into someone else’s life and instinctively compare helps humanize and glorify the people around us.

I often play a fun game of Are they on a first date? with unsuspecting couples at restaurants, parks, or anywhere people display themselves. Examining interactions and the dullness of some questions lets me paint my own picture of who these people are. Half the fun is wanting to find out more while resisting the temptation to break the seal of mystery. Some people are meant to stay as made-up stories in a fantasy hypothesis.

Take a moment to watch this week’s Short Film Sunday and reflect on how it makes you feel. It might not be entirely comfortable, but that is part of the experience. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Be sure to tune in next Sunday for another bite-sized film.