by John Wildman,
AFI FEST Daily News

Ray Gower, director, DARK CORNERS, making its North American premiere November 10, 10:00 PM, at AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi.

Writer-director Ray Gower takes an uneasy feeling - like being awakened from a nightmare that seems disconcertingly real - as the leaping-off point for his new thriller, DARK CORNERS.

Thora Birch stars as a young woman waking every morning from increasingly violent nightmares. What truly frightens her is the sneaking suspicion that her waking life may actually be her happier dream existence.

DARK CORNERS makes its North American premiere November 10, 10:00 PM, at AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi. It screens again November 11, 2:00 PM.

1. How did the idea for the film come about?

Ray Gower: Eating cheese at bedtime.

Actually, I originally wrote the film nearly 10 years ago, so it's difficult to recall the exact combination of events that lead to the birth of DARK CORNERS.

But I do remember a particularly strange moment, which certainly inspired the weird tone of the film and gave rise to its sense of "wrongness."

I was driving along the freeway here in London one beautiful fall evening, the low sun painting everything in hues of burnt amber. As I approached a bridge I noticed a large guy sitting cross-legged. Slowly he stood up. He was completely bald and was shirtless beneath a large, grubby overcoat. He looked down, slowly extended an arm, pointed directly at me and began to nod.

It was very strange and disconcerting and gave rise to the scene in the film with the demonic little boy on top of the burned out car.

2. How did Thora Birch become involved with the project?

She was our first choice and Morris Ruskin managed to get the script to her.

Thora responded well to the material. We corresponded for a while, spoke on the phone and fortunately for us she took a punt.

I think she enjoys taking a risk and was intrigued by the prospect of playing two characters.

Although well below the kind of budget she is more used to, I think the originality and quirky nature of the piece won her over.

3. What is the best thing about having your film at AFI FEST?

Credibility. I have been directing professionally for nearly 14 years (commercials and TV), but this is my first feature.

And in the few weeks since the announcement that it is appearing in the AFI FEST I have already had a lot of interest in many of my other scripts and projects.

4. Who or what inspired you to want to make films?

Cliché alert! I saw STAR WARS and CLOSE ENCOUNTERS within a week of each other when I was around 10 years old.

After CLOSE ENCOUNTERS I went straight home, borrowed my father's 8mm camera and made an alien movie.

Only about 10 percent of it was properly exposed, so I learned an important early lesson!

5. What should a director do that they never think of until it's almost too late?

Learn to sit down. And wear comfortable shoes.

6. Something bad is behind the door or something bad is in front of it: which is more frightening?

In a movie: behind the door. In real life: definitely in front! Unless it's a salesman in which case the door won't make any difference.

7. What's the most underrated job on the set?

In terms of difficulty and importance, yet total under appreciation? The focus puller. Huge responsibility, never gets thanked if the pictures are sharp, but loses his nuts if they're not.

I learned a long time ago that a good, experienced focus puller will save your ass a million ways from Sunday.

8. Was working with the prosthetic special effects fun for you or a necessary pain in the ass?

Well, the movie is more psychological than visceral, but there are some prosthetics which, thanks to a fantastic makeup and effects team, never became a pain in the ass.

I have to confess to loving prosthetics. When someone steps out of the trailer with scars on their face and blood pumping from a gash in their neck, you know you're making a movie!

9. Name your favorite Thora Birch: blonde or brunette?

Brunette.

10. Popcorn or candy?

Warm, fresh popcorn every time.