In the Mouth
A perpetual worrywart finds himself unable to leave his house after discovering a giant version of himself protruding from his front lawn.
2025, 82 min, Black and White
Slamdance Film Festival, Los Angeles, CA - 2025 (Grand Jury Honorable Mention)
Poster by Dylan Haley
Starring...................................................................................................Colin Burgess
Starring....................................................................................................Paul Michael
Producer.....................................................................................................Jesse Muro
Producer..................................................................................................Tatiana Bears
Executive Producer..................................................................................Richie Doyle
Executive Producer..............................................................................Conor Hannon
Executive Producer...............................................................................Michael Leung
Executive Producer....................................................................Paul Michael Rothery
Executive Producer.................................................................................Pierce Varous
Director of Photography.....................................................................Mike Magilnick
Production Designer..................................................................................Jesse Muro
Art Director.........................................................................................Rebecca Mattis
Supervising Sound Editor..........................................................................Doug Moss
Sound Mixer.........................................................................................Antonio Tanzi
Composer...............................................................................................Kubilay Uner
VFX..............................................................................................................Alex Bliss
Title Designer.........................................................................................Colin Burgess
Director/Writer/Editor............................................................................Cory Santilli
This was written out of pure frustration amidst a period of housebound agoraphobia that lasted for a few years. I was trying to keep productive and wasn't really worrying about the reality of this ever being made. I had just read Eugene Ionesco's Rhinoceros a few weeks prior and it had really stuck with me. Also, it’s always flattering to hear the Lynch comparisons- although we were actively trying to avoid his influence to keep the film from feeling derivative, but somehow, his spirit snuck in anyway. In hindsight there was just no way to avoid that; he's the goat. We shot 164 slated scenes in 11 days. We somehow found time to shoot the script and to constantly try new things. It was such a great team on this one. Also, I just want to point something out- I’m not Merl. I think our primary fears are different. Actually, I don't think we were ever viewing him has someone with agoraphobia to be honest. But since my own personal experience has brought up the topic I would like to say something about that. Agoraphobia & panic disorder are not solely about one’s thoughts. That’s a bit of a misconception. Most panic attacks (different from anxiety attacks) come without a catalyst. There's almost never a moment to think before it happens. Thoughts come after, in response. Anxiety is a bit different than panic in that way; it’s inverted. Panic is a reaction from one's adrenal glands - sending adrenaline out to help you fight a bear that isn't in attendance. These glands are much closer to the stomach than they are the head. So most of the time you’re really not treating your head/thoughts - you’re learning to tolerate the adrenaline. I’m not really speaking about the film here; that’s just some food for thought.