Though details are scarce, the visionary director of ‘Immortals’ and ‘Mirror Mirror,’ Tarsem Singh has signed to direct ‘The Panopticon’, an original screenplay written by Craig Rosenberg for Good Universe studios. The film is described as an “original action-thriller featuring sci-fi elements” and the plot follows “a seemingly ordinary man who receives a mysterious package containing a pre-recorded message from himself, warning that the world is about to end and only he can save it. He must race against the clock to piece together the puzzle before time runs out for mankind.”
Though there is a brief synopsis of the plot, there’s no explanation given for the film’s title. The website Slash Film does offers a possibility by defining what a panopticon is:
“The panopticon is an architectural scheme designed in the late 18th century by English philosopher Jeremy Bentham. The idea is to create an institution where a large number of people can be constantly observed by a relative few, with those observed never knowing precisely if or when they’re being watched. While it could be a hospital or similar building, Bentham’s primary conception of the panopticon was for it to be used as a prison.”
In fact, many prisons have actually been built basing their designs on Bentham’s concept, including the Presidio Modelo (seen above) which is based in Cuba. The idea behind this type of design is that, with the knowledge that they are potentially under constant supervision, prisoners will actually alter their behavior.
In our multimedia world, with inescapable reality shows, computers and smart phones that track our web-surfing and purchasing habits, I can certainly see how the concept of being under constant surveillance could relate to modern culture. However, there’s no mention in the plot description of anything along these lines. Could the hero of the story have to fight against a government that can track his every move?
It looks like it’s too early to tell, but with Singh’s distinctive style, at least the movie should be nice to look at. What do you think? Comment below!
Source: The Wrap
