Below Her Mouth is a 2016 Canadian erotic romantic drama directed by April Mullen, featuring an all-female crew to explore an intense relationship between two women in Toronto. The film, which premiered at TIFF, stars Natalie Krill and Erika Linder, focusing on a fashion editor who begins a life-changing affair with a roofer. For more information, visit the Wikipedia entry for Below Her Mouth
Below Her Mouth
Release Date: February 12, 2016 (Canada) Genre: Romantic Drama Runtime: 85 minutes Director: April Murnahan Screenplay: April Murnahan Starring: Deric McCabe, Erika Linder, and Sharon Horgan
Plot
Below Her Mouth is a romantic drama film that follows the story of Shannon (played by Erika Linder), a successful businesswoman who falls in love with a free-spirited artist named Dallas (played by Deric McCabe). The film explores their whirlwind romance and the challenges they face as they navigate their relationship.
Cast
Production
The film was written and directed by April Murnahan, who makes her feature film debut with Below Her Mouth. The movie was produced by Conor Sly and Jason Blum.
Reception
Below Her Mouth received mixed reviews from critics, but was praised for its nuanced portrayal of female desire and its exploration of themes such as identity, intimacy, and vulnerability. The film holds a 56% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Awards and Nominations
Themes
The film explores several themes, including:
Impact
Below Her Mouth has been praised for its thoughtful and nuanced portrayal of female relationships and desire. The film has also been noted for its exploration of themes that are often absent from mainstream cinema.
Wikipedia Article
The Wikipedia article for Below Her Mouth provides a comprehensive overview of the film, including its plot, cast, production, reception, and themes. film below her mouth wikipedia
Below Her Mouth had its world premiere at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). It was released in select theaters and on video-on-demand platforms in early 2017 by Gunpowder & Sky.
Disclaimer: This summary contains adult content.
The story unfolds over a few intense days in Toronto. Jasmine (played by Natalie Krill) is a successful but emotionally unfulfilled fashion magazine editor. She is engaged to a man named Rile (Sebastian Pigott), a construction contractor who loves her but takes her for granted.
One night, Jasmine goes out with colleagues to a dimly lit bar. There she meets Dallas (Erika Linder), a roguish, androgynous roofer who exudes raw confidence. Dallas is a player—charming, sexually free, but emotionally guarded.
Within hours of meeting, Dallas and Jasmine share a raw, spontaneous kiss. This ignites a passionate affair. The film follows their relationship over the following 48 hours: secret rendezvous, rooftop conversations, and increasingly graphic sexual encounters. As Jasmine’s engagement party approaches, she is forced to choose between her stable, conventional life and the overwhelming desire Dallas awakens in her.
The film ends ambiguously: Jasmine leaves her fiancé at the altar, but Dallas—fearful of real intimacy—walks away. They reunite briefly in a final shot that suggests hope, but not a typical Hollywood happy ending.
Release Date: April 22, 2016 (Canada – Victoria Film Festival) / September 9, 2016 (Toronto International Film Festival) Director: April Mullen Writer: Stephanie Fabrizi Producers: Melissa Coghlan, Jeff Beesley, April Mullen Runtime: 94 minutes Country: Canada Language: English
Below Her Mouth is a Canadian erotic drama that gained immediate notoriety for its unflinching, naturalistic depiction of a same-sex affair between two women. Unlike many mainstream films, it was written, directed, and produced entirely by women, and it features explicit sexual content performed by actors without the use of body doubles or CGI. Below Her Mouth is a 2016 Canadian erotic
The film’s Wikipedia page (and the film itself) became a reference point for discussions about authentic lesbian representation versus the male gaze in cinema.
Jasmine (Natalie Krill) is a successful fashion editor living in Toronto with her fiancé, Rile (Sebastian Pigott). While their life together appears stable and Jasmine is excited about an upcoming promotion, she admits to her friends that the passion has faded from their relationship. Rile is dependable and kind, but Jasmine feels a sense of emotional and sexual stagnation.
One night, while attending a club with friends, Jasmine meets Dallas (Erika Linder), a mysterious and androgynous roofer. Dallas is currently working on a renovation project next door to Jasmine’s apartment. There is an immediate, palpable tension between the two women. Dallas, confident and direct, pursues Jasmine, who is initially hesitant due to her engagement and her lack of experience with women.
Despite her reservations, Jasmine finds herself drawn to Dallas's raw honesty and freedom. When Rile leaves town for a business trip, Jasmine and Dallas embark on an intense, whirlwind physical affair. Over the course of the weekend, the two women explore a deeply passionate connection that forces Jasmine to confront the reality of her own desires, which she had previously suppressed or ignored.
As the weekend progresses, the lines between lust and emotion blur. Jasmine realizes that her connection with Dallas offers a level of intimacy and understanding she has never felt with Rile. The affair challenges Jasmine’s identity and her carefully planned future. Eventually, the affair is discovered, leading to a confrontation with Rile and a crisis of conscience for Jasmine. The narrative arc focuses heavily on Jasmine's journey of self-discovery, moving from a life of societal expectation to one of authentic personal truth.
The most significant aspect of the film's production was the decision to hire an entirely female crew. Director April Mullen, who had previously directed action-heavy films, wanted to approach the erotic thriller/drama genre from a distinct perspective. She stated in interviews that the presence of a female-only set was crucial for the film's tone, particularly during the shooting of the sex scenes.
Mullen argued that removing the "male gaze"—the concept of viewing women as objects of male desire—allowed the actresses to feel more comfortable and empowered. This environment was intended to foster authentic chemistry and ensure the sex scenes were choreographed to reflect genuine female pleasure rather than performative acts for an audience.
Filming Below Her Mouth is distinguished by its production process. Director April Mullen and the producers made a conscious decision to hire an entirely female crew for every department, from cinematography to sound and set design. Mullen stated that the goal was to create a safe space for the actors to explore the intimate subject matter authentically, aiming to capture the "female gaze" in a genre often dominated by the male perspective. Erika Linder as Shannon Deric McCabe as Dallas
The film was shot on location in Toronto, Canada, over a tight schedule. To capture the spontaneity of the romance, the film relies heavily on close-ups, natural lighting, and improvised dialogue, lending the narrative a cinéma vérité quality.
Casting Casting Erika Linder was a pivotal choice for the filmmakers. Linder, known for her gender-bending modeling career, brought an androgynous aesthetic to the role of Dallas that challenged traditional Hollywood portrayals of lesbian romances. Natalie Krill, a trained dancer and actress, was cast opposite Linder to provide a contrast of sophistication and inhibition.