By Bonnie Adams, Government Editor
Westborough – When Chris Gorak was growing up in Westborough, he used to love going to movies such as “Star Wars” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” But he never dreamed that he would end up in Hollywood. But since graduating from Westborough High School (WHS) in 1987, a mix of good luck, along with “twenty years of hard work,” have led him on the path from movie fan to successful movie director.
Gorak's latest project, “The Darkest Hour,” a science fiction film with a twist, recently opened nationwide on Christmas Day. The film, which features 3-D special effects, was shot entirely in Moscow in 2010.
“I loved the art program at [WHS],” Gorak said of his high school days. “But they didn's have a film project there. I always wanted to do something creative so I thought architecture would fit my ideal.”
He studied architecture, and earned his master's degree from Tulane University in New Orleans. But a chance to do an internship in Los Angeles convinced him to try pursuing a career in the film industry.
After working mostly as an art director and production designer, he got the opportunity in 2006 to direct a small, independent film, “Right at Your Door,” which he also wrote.
Directing “The Darkest Hour,” which had a $44 million budget, was challenging but at the same time fascinating, especially from a historical perspective.
“Moscow is just such a big, massive old city, with a lot of old systems still in place,” he said. “But there really is a new film culture expanding there.”
It was also exciting, he added, to be able to work on a science fiction film that takes place in a locale other than what has been done traditionally, usually Los Angeles or New York.
Gorak also had praise for the Russian citizens who he met in Moscow.
“They were a little bit distant, almost like New Yorkers at first but then once you get to know them, they were very friendly,” he said. “They also tolerated my broken Russian.”
The film's plot centers around five people in their 20s who are trying to stay alive in Moscow after an alien attack. But the aliens are not the standard little green men featured in movies of the past – rather they are bolts of electrical currents that vaporize people.
Gorak said he believes the film, which is rated PG-13, will really appeal to 13- to 18-year-old moviegoers. He described it as a “great popcorn movie, a lot of fun and non-stop action.”
He said that nearly 80 percent of the cast was Russian, adding that many of the actors “were famous in Russia, so they have a big following there.”
Nowadays, his career, along with his wife and two children, keep him busy in Los Angeles. As a result, he doesn's often get the opportunity to visit Westborough to see his parents, Ed and Diane.
“But I still love New England and especially all the sports teams,” he said.
As for the future, he said he is not sure what will be next.
“There are several things in the works,” he said, “but it's too soon to tell what will happen with any of them.”
To view the trailer for “The Darkest Hour” visit the official website, www.darkesthourmovie.com.