A directional filter device for controlling direction of maximal blocking of incident light, including: (a) a front polarizer; (b) a plurality of front electrodes; (c) a liquid crystal layer having a front surface for receiving light and a back surface for emitting light; (d) a plurality of back electrodes; (e) a back polarizer; and (f) circuitry for applying a voltage between said front electrodes and said back electrodes, wherein said circuitry is configured to apply voltage between front and back electrodes that do not face each other using voltage sequences that create electric fields at angles selected from a range of angles, which are not perpendicular to the front surface of the liquid crystal layer.