Filmmaker Jeannette Loakman’s motivation to make a documentary about kissing sprang from the conclusions she drew from some thoughtful self-analysis while she was going through a relationship breakup. She said she knew the guy was all wrong for her and couldn’t understand why she had stayed with him. When she really thought about it, she realized it was his kissing that had kept her by his side. What she found out in the course of making the film was that kissing can be addictive and it’s a biological process of seeking out your mate.

Why I wanted to do a story on this film was first of all because I enjoyed the film, but also because I love kissing. Her story sounded vaguely familiar to me, because when I heard it, it suddenly explained why I had stayed with so many of the “frogs” I kissed, who never evolved into the handsome prince. By and large, they were great kissers! Of course, in reality male-female relationships are much more complex, but it was interesting food for thought. I also believe there’s some truth to what Loakman uncovered, at least in terms of my personal experience. I know when I met my husband, I have to say it was definitely our first kiss that sealed the deal. Everything I’d ever been told about “you’ll know it when you meet him,” etc. all came down to that moment when we first kissed and it was like fireworks, plain and simple. It’s also interesting, because I know my husband feels the same way. And that’s not just because he told me so, because he knew it’s what I’d like to hear. I also overheard him telling the story to a friend and describing it pretty much the way I describe it. I think it’s also interesting that the memory of that first kiss is much more prominent than our first memory of making love.

Karen Murray
Associate Producer, SEXTV