“After Dark”: Iain Forbes on Fear, Ambiguity, and Norwegian Isolation Iain Forbes’ “After Dark” has been gaining attention for its chilling exploration of moral ambiguity and urban isolation. In this interview at the 69th BFI London Film Festival 2025, Forbes shares insights into the personal experiences that influenced the film, the challenges of authentically portraying fear, and the unique cultural perspectives he brought to the story. From Personal Encounter to Cinematic Fear The discussion begins with the real-life encounter that inspired the first half of “After Dark“. Forbes explains that the film reflects his emotional journey: “from curiosity to worry, to fear, to doubt, and then skepticism, and finally, regret.” He emphasizes how difficult it was to capture the feeling of fear without exaggeration. “I think the hardest emotion to depict on film was fear, especially when he encounters the young woman on the street,” Forbes notes. He credits actor Simon Booster’s performance in conveying unease, as well as the film’s visual language, for highlighting paranoia and fear. Moral Ambiguity and the Question of Trust Forbes is known for delving into moral ambiguity in his works. He discusses how his perceptions of right and wrong were challenged during the writing and filming of “After Dark“. In reality, the situation was less ambiguous— the woman wanted to return to someone she met at rehab. This raised the question: “Was she actually a person not as far gone as I initially thought?” Forbes aimed for the film to capture the ambivalence of not knowing whether to trust or help a stranger. The Influence of Cultural Heritage and Urban Isolation The conversation shifts to Forbes’ Scottish-Norwegian background and how his cultural heritage influences his understanding of societies, especially regarding isolation. Forbes notes the differences between Scottish and Norwegian cultures, with Norwegians tending to be more antisocial in public. He wanted “After Dark” to portray a realistic picture of Oslo in winter—“a very isolating time.” Forbes sees the film as an exploration of how urban environments can make us less open to strangers. This theme resonates globally, as many observe similar trends in their own countries. Directing Subtle Tensions The discussion explores how Forbes directs actors to emphasize tension. He explains that with Billy’s character (Mia), they discussed her backstory, which established some rules for her reactions. Mia’s complex history explains her behavior, and Christian’s (Simon’s) skepticism stems from his inability to understand her fully. Lessons Learned as a First AD Having worked as a first assistant director (AD) on numerous projects, Forbes shares valuable lessons. He stresses the importance of beginning shooting promptly and avoiding unnecessary delays on the first shot. Respect for the team and expressing gratitude are also essential. “Saying thank you to everyone at the end of each day builds the team,” he says. Recognition and Future Plans Forbes talks about the recognition he’s received, including winning the Student Academy Award for “Revisited” and “After Dark” qualifying for the Oscars. This acknowledgment has been motivating and has opened doors for his career in Norway. Currently, he is working on his first feature film, a continuation of themes from Revisited, focusing on a family dealing with grief. The Origins of a Filmmaker Forbes shares his “origin story,” citing “The Fellowship of the Ring” as a pivotal cinematic experience. Though he initially wanted to be a writer, he discovered filmmaking at age 15 when his uncle gave him a camera. He realized that his writing was already highly visual. Inspiration and Influences Forbes mentions Hirokazu Kore-eda, a Japanese filmmaker known for his human dramas, as a major influence. He also references Robin Hobb, a fantasy author whose work blends human drama with fantastical worlds. Casting Simon Booster and Billy Parker Forbes explains that Simon Booster was cast for his friendly and easygoing nature, while Billy Parker was chosen for her ability to portray innocence coupled with a mysterious edge. A Purpose and the Importance of Kindness To conclude, Forbes shares his desire to inspire others. He believes in the importance of positivity and encouraging each other. He hopes his films motivate viewers to strive for continuous improvement and to do better in their own lives. Plot Kristian walks home late one night in Oslo and is asked for help by a young woman, Mia, who says she needs to get to the train station. As he walks her through the city, Kristian becomes increasingly uncertain about her story, questioning if she is in real distress or if he is being manipulated, which creates a tense exploration of his fear, doubt, and compassion. The plot is inspired by a real-life encounter the director had, and the film focuses on the internal conflict between helping a stranger and the fear of the unknown consequences.
