by John Wildman
AFI FEST Daily News

David L. Cunningham is writer-director of AFTER..., part of the inaugural Dark Horizons section at AFI FEST 2006.

Writer-director David L. Cunningham's AFTER... is about Urban Explorers, extreme sports' answer to computer hackers, a growing breed of thrill-seekers who infiltrate the planet's most dangerous man-made structures.

Cunningham's film has its world premiere Saturday, November 4, 9:30 PM, and screens again Saturday, November 5, 3:30 PM.

The horror-thriller is one of six films in Dark Horizons, a new section inaugurated for AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi.

AFI FEST Daily News: Why is the subject of "Urban Exploring" fascinating to you?

David L. Cunningham: Who couldn't resist the concept of going somewhere you are told not to go? Why can't I go there? What don't you want me to see? I gotta find out!

What does the "L" stand for?

David: Loren. That is my father's first name. There are quite a few David Cunninghams out there and it is my attempt to be unique. I am special. I gotta be special! Right?

Would Stalin make a good First Assistant Director?

David: Yep! And I bet we wouldn't have to worry about all the union regulations.

What's more fun, working with the actors on dialogue heavy scenes or designing the action-thriller sequences?

David: It depends on the dialogue and the actors. If the elements are right they can both be a major rush.

SIDEBAR

More Dark Horizons at AFI FEST 2006:

ALIEN AUTOPSY - Sat Nov 11, 10:00 PM, and Sun Nov 12, Noon - Twisted, re-created tale of two Brits who presented a supposed alien autopsy film in the mid-1990s. With Bill Pullman, Harry Dean Stanton.

DANIKA - Thu Nov 2, 10:00 PM, and Fri Nov 3, Noon - A smart script aids Oscar® winner Marisa Tomei in one of the most profoundly disturbing, memorable new thrillers.

DARK CORNERS - Fri Nov 10, 10:00 PM, and Sat Nov 11, 2:00 PM - A troubled young woman (Thora Birch) wakes up being stalked by hideous creatures.

THE HOST - Fri Nov 3, 10:00 PM, and Sat Nov 4, 1:00 PM - A creature emerges from the waters of the Han River and terrorizes the citizens of South Korea. From director Bong Joon-ho.

RE-CYCLE - Thu Nov 9, 9:45 PM, and Fri Nov 10 1:00 PM - Based around the concept of a computer's recycle bin, a writer enters an in-between world in this horror from the Pang brothers.