Ever have your phone, laptop, or car stolen? Wouldn’t you like to know where it is, figure out who stole it, and what they are doing with it? A film student in Amsterdam was frustrated when his iPhone was stolen, so he decided to approach the problem in an unusually technical but artistic way.
The Setup
Anthony van der Meer purchased a phone to be used as a lure. He installed surveillance tools into the firmware of the device, so they would remain persistent even if the phone was reset and the SIM card replaced. He chose the off the shelf anti-theft product Cerberus which can remotely locate and control many of the phones functions. It also has the ability to take pictures, record audio, and listen in on calls. When the phone was ready, he and his colleagues went about trying to get it stolen. This was harder than expected. It took several days before a thief took the bait. Then the fun began.
Prey Tracks the Predator
Anthony was able to track the location of the phone, if it was active, and the calls the thief made. He took pictures of the man who pilfered the device, listened in on his conversations, and tracked his movements.
He began to understand the relationships this person was in, the troubles he faced, and the sad life he seemed to lead. What started out as an exploration into revenge against petty criminals, began to turn into an empathetic journey in the plight of others. Anthony began to be pulled into the life of his perpetrator.
Through the lens of the surveillance software, phone images, and recorded conversations, Anthony began to bond with the phone bandit. Almost a twisted one-way Stockholm Syndrome ensued. Anthony was consumed. After a long period of inactivity Anthony became worries and even went so far as to look for the thief in his normal hangout locations, as captured by the GPS of the phone. He called the phone just to make sure the thief was still there. It all comes to closure, face to face, between Anthony and his phone crook in a single moment.
Anthony, the film student, put together a wonderful short movie that explains his experiences. He does a great job showcasing the highs and lows of his emotional twists. Entertaining and insightful. Enjoy.