Foreigner with Writer and Director Ava Maria Safai

Foreigner was part of the official selection at this years Fantasia Festival in Montreal. It was written and directed by Ava Maria Safai and we sat down together over zoom and discussed her film. Foreigner - In the age of low-rise jeans and flip phones, a Persian teen trying to fit in with her new Canadian clique dyes her hair blonde -- and invites a monstrous force into her life.I will be sure to keep everyone posted for its release sometime next year, but until then, enjoy this great episode. Ava was a lot of fun to talk to and we discuss tv and other films as well.Persian Julep – Apricot Rose JulepIngredients1/2 oz honey rose simple syrup**6 large mint leaves2 dashes rose water optional1.5 oz bourbon1/2 oz Giffard’s apricot liqueurGarnish: sprig of mint, dried apricots, fresh, organic, food-safe rose petalsInstructionsAdd the simple syrup and rose water to the bottom of a mixing glass. Tear the mint leaves in half and drop them into the syrup. Muddle lightly.Add the apricot liqueur and bourbon. Fill with ice and stir until chilled and well-combined, about 30 seconds.Strain into a julep cup filled with cracked or crushed ice and garnish with a fresh mint sprig and some dried apricots.For the Rose-Honey Simple:Ingredients2 tablespoons dried rose buds1 cup water3/4 cup honeyDirectionsBrew the rose buds in boiling water for 8 minutes like you would a tea (I used my teapot).Strain 1/2 cup of the tea into a glass measuring cup.While still hot, add 3/4 cup honey and stir well to combine.Let cool completely and keep in the fridge.It will keep for a couple of weeks, and a little longer if you add a bit of vodka to it before storing it. You can drink the remaining tea on its own, or make some of it into a rose simple syrup by adding 1/2 cup sugar to it.Persian DelightIngredients60 ml Tanqueray Malacca Gin40 ml Salted Pistachio and Cardamom Orgeat*30 ml Acid-adjusted Orange Juice**10-15 drops Persian Saffron and Persian Rose tincture***2 dashes Angostura orange bitterDirectionsMix all the ingredients (except for the Saffron and Persian Rose Tincture) together and add them to 50 ml 2% milk, let it sit for 24 hours and filter it using cheese cloth. Weigh the final liquid and dilute it with 30% water.Pour drink into a glass and add 10-15 drops of Saffron and Persian Rose Tincture.Garnish with a rose petal, barberry, and/or edible gold leaf.This drink can be scaled up to make many servings at the same time. Just multiply this recipe by as many guests as you are hosting. The time spent resting in milk doesn’t change based on volume.*Salted Pistachio and Cardamom Orgeat: Add 100 salted pistachios and 3 cardamom pods to 250 ml hot water in a sealed container and let it sit for 24 hours. Using blender blend it well and run it through cheese cloth. Squeeze the cheese cloth to maximize yield. Weigh the final liquid and add equal amount of sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar.**Acid-adjusted Orange Juice: Add 4g citric acid to every 96g orange juice.***Persian Saffron and Persian Rose Tincture: Combine 100ml of Tanqueray Malacca Gin with two pinches of saffron and one pinch of dehydrated rose petal. (We are saying a pinch because the weight was less than .1g so be sparing with this)I did end up finding another recipe but it is from AI, if you would like to try that one, just DM me and I will send it.Foreigner Drinking GameTake a shot when…She watches her show.Take a sip when…every time the three girls pop up.a white person asks a weird question.Take two shots when…there is lice under her skin.Finish your drink when…she becomes a demon.As always, drink responsibly and with others. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen to the podcast. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @Line_Drunk.

This is my very first collaboration with another podcast!!! It was so much fun and I know we will be doing this again. We chatted for over 3 hours, we were having a lot of fun, so I broke this down into 3 episodes and this is part 2. Go check out ⁠Live or Die Podcast ⁠with hosts Frank and LC, you will be entertained. We chat more about Tony Todd and just so many other things. Frank and LC are amazing and so much fun to chat with. You can also get her book, ⁠Keep Living⁠.LC's Candyman Cocktail:IngredientsTequilaKool-aid Liquid (flavor of your choicse)IceWaterDirectionsAdd tequila, Kool-aid Liquid, water, and ice in a glass and stir.Add more Kool-aid and or water if needed.Enjoy.Tony Todd Drinking Game:Drink when…we talk about a film you have seen.we quote a line from him.there is a story about him.Pour one out for him, or take a shot in his honor.As always, drink responsibly and with others. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen to the podcast. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @Line_Drunk.

This is my very first collaboration with another podcast!!! It was so much fun and I know we will be doing this again. We chatted for over 3 hours, we were having a lot of fun, so I broke this down into 3 episodes and this is part 2. Go check out Live or Die Podcast with hosts Frank and LC, you will be entertained. We chat more about Tony Todd and just so many other things. Frank and LC are amazing and so much fun to chat with. You can also get her book, Keep Living.Hook:Ingredients2 oz Tequila1 oz Honey Syrup3/4 oz Lime JuiceHoneyDirectionsIn a shaker, add tequila, honey syrup, and lime juice.Shake!Rim glass with honey and strain drink into glass. Cheers!Tony Todd Drinking Game:Drink when…we talk about a film you have seen.we quote a line from him.there is a story about him.Pour one out for him, or take a shot in his honor.As always, drink responsibly and with others. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen to the podcast. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @Line_Drunk.

This is my very first collaboration with another podcast!!! It was so much fun and I know we will be doing this again. We chatted for over 3 hours, we were having a lot of fun, so I broke this down into 3 episodes. Go check out Live or Die Podcast with hosts Frank and LC, you will be entertained. You can also go check our LC's book, Keep Living.We were wanting to discuss the horror icon and very talented man, Tony Todd. He had so many amazing film roles, including Candy Man and his role in all of the Final Destination films among others. So for the first hour we were able to have Jeffrey Reddick join and talk about Tony and his legacy.The Bee Sting:Ingredients1/2 oz Mezcal1/2 oz Tequila1 oz Honey Syrup1/2 oz Grand MarnierDirectionsIn a shaker, add mezcal, tequila, honey syrup, grand mariner, and ice.Shake!Strain into a shot glass. Cheers!Tony Todd Drinking Game:Drink when…we talk about a film you have seen.we quote a line from him.there is a story about him.Pour one out for him, or take a shot in his honor.As always, drink responsibly and with others. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen to the podcast. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @Line_Drunk.

Welcome to the season 9 finale!!!!! I was sent a screener for a new film making the festival rounds called The Militia, it is written and directed by Dylan King Welter and then I was able to interview him. I really did enjoy this film, just wasn’t sure how to go about the interview on this topic. When it is released, I highly recommend checking out the film, but until then, enjoy this great interview. I can’t wait until this film is released, but also can’t wait to see what else Dylan directs and writes in the future.The synopsis of the film is: Daniel Pierce dreams of joining the local Militia alongside his father once he turns eighteen, but when his Dad becomes the target of the local Sheriff, Daniel and his friends form their own militia in a troubled effort to save him.The Militia Drink:Grab a 6, 12, 18, or 30 pack of your favorite good ol’ American beer and enjoy the drinking game.The Militia Drinking GameDrink when…you see a gun on screen.you go “oh no”.you think that’s a bad idea.a teenager cursesAs always, drink responsibly and with others. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen to the podcast. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @Line_Drunk.

I guarantee you that she has casted some of your favorite actors on some of your favorite shows. Sherry has been doing this for a long time and her resume is extensive. I had Sherry on last year at the festival and hope she will be back, maybe we can do a regular podcast episode. She has casted everything from The Righteous Gemstones to The Four Seasons to Breaking Bad to Lie To Me. Sherry, if you read this, I would love to be cast as something minor in the next Roughhouse tv show 😂😂😂, I will gladly be a dead body or whatever, but again just a minor role, I am no actor, ha. The Margaret Atwood Cocktail (cbc.ca):Ingredients 1 1/2 oz light rum1/2 oz maraschino liqueur1 oz pomegranate juice1 oz lime juice 1 oz apple juiceSnapdragon for garnishDirectionsAdd all ingredients n a shaker and shake with ice.Pour into a Collins glass filled with ice.Garnish with a snapdragon.Sherry Thomas Drinking Game:Drink when…you watched a show she casted.As always, drink responsibly and with others. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen to the podcast. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @Line_Drunk.

I don’t get sent documentaries very often, but recently I was sent two, one was JessZilla and it is releasing Friday, June 27th, so be sure to check it out. JessZilla is about Jesselyn Silva, a 15-year-old national boxing champion whose Olympic dreams are cut short when she gets a cancer diagnosis. It will be available on Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube Movies, and Vimeo.I usually post drinking rules because it’s part of the podcast, and while I do discuss them in the interview with Emily and Ben, I am choosing not to post them on here in the show notes. I don’t feel like it’s a film you will want to drink during, due to the nature of the documentary and that Jesselyn did pass away on August 13, 2024. Honor Jesselyn in the best way you see fit, you can donate to the childhood cancer fund in here name (https://curechildhoodcancer.org/about-cure/named-funds/jesszilla-fund/), watch and share the movie with others, or however you’d like to.When I finished this documentary I emailed the PR guy I had been in contact with back and said, “That was such an incredible and inspiring documentary. I hope that many people will watch this when it’s released.” So please be sure to check it out, it is sad, but I think everyone will be glad they watched it.Spicy Passion Fruit Margarita (butternutbakeryblog.com):I picked this drink because of the purple flower used for garnish, since purple was her favorite color, and due to the fact that Jesselyn was passionate about her family and boxing, not to mention that Ben said it needed to be something that gave a punch. Ingredients 2 jalapeño slices (about 1/8” thick)3/4 oz fresh lime juice1/4 oz agave nectar1 1/2 oz blanco tequila (or mezcal if you want a smokey flavor), for a mocktail version use a zero proof option or a citrus seltzer1/2 oz orange liqueur, or use orange juice for the mocktail version2 oz passion fruit pureeTajin for the rimDirectionsAdd the jalapeño slices, lime juice, and agave to a shaker. Muddle the jalapeños to release more flavor.Add the remaining ingredients along with ice and shake for about 30 seconds.Use lime wedge to line the rim of a cocktail glass. Then place the glass upside down in some tajin to coat the rim. Fill with ice.Strain the cocktail into the glass and garnish with a purple hibiscus or another purple flower of your choosing. Enjoy.As always, drink responsibly and with others. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen to the podcast. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @Line_Drunk.

I bought a trivia game from Go! Games, a company based in Austin. I was at the mall and it was $5 and I grabbed it. It's always nice to have multiple trivia games for the podcast and just for fun. See how many you get right. I will be using this game again in the future, I barely scratched the surface of the questions.🍿🎬 “Plot Twist” – A Trivia Night Cocktail🥃 Ingredients:1 oz Vodka (neutral, keeps you guessing)0.75 oz Chambord (dark berry, mysterious like a cliffhanger)0.5 oz fresh lemon juice (a little twist, literally)0.25 oz vanilla syrup (sweet like sitcom nostalgia)Topped with ginger beer (for the fizzy finale)Garnish: Gummy question mark or a twist of lemon🧪 Directions:Shake vodka, Chambord, lemon juice, and vanilla syrup with ice.Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.Top with ginger beer.Garnish with a lemon twist in the shape of a question mark or a mini drink stirrer with a trivia quote tag.Drinking Game:Drink when…you get the question wrong.Danielle gets the question wrong.As always, drink responsibly and with others. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen to the podcast. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @Line_Drunk.

UnREAL premiered 10 years ago and is having a panel at the ATX Television Festival this year, so I thought what better way to celebrate than to cover the pilot episode. You can stream the show on Netflix.Reality shows are often full of drama, but in the case of dating show `Everlasting', there may be more drama behind the scenes than there is in front of the camera. Executive producer Quinn commands her staff to get dramatic and outrageous footage for the show, which forces young producer Rachel to manipulate the relationships among the contestants to get the show's final cut to match Quinn's vision of it. As show star Adam searches for his perfect mate, the show's staff members deal with their own romantic predicaments on the set. Rachel's ex-boyfriend is one of the show's cameramen, and his current fiancee, Lizzie, is the makeup artist.“The Final Rose” - An UnREAL Cocktail:🍸 Ingredients:1.5 oz Gin (London Dry or a floral-forward variety)0.5 oz Aperol (for that rose-pink TV glow + underlying bitterness)0.5 oz St-Germain elderflower liqueur (smooth, manipulative sweetness)0.75 oz fresh lemon juice0.25 oz rose syrup* (romantic and fake — just like the show)1 dash Peychaud’s bitters (for color + depth)Garnish: Dehydrated rose petal or a “bloody” sugar rimRose syrup: Combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tsp rose water in a saucepan. Heat until dissolved, then cool.🧪 Instructions:Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.Shake well, imagining Quinn whispering in your ear.Strain into a chilled coupe glass.Garnish with a single dried rose petal or a pink sugar rim splashed with red food coloring to look like a lipstick smear… or blood.Drinking Game (earnspendlive.com):Take a sip every time:You’re more than 75% sure that whatever is going on could REALLY happen on The Bachelor/Bachelorette……and you catch yourself looking around for Chris Harrison.There’s a kiss.Tabloids stir up drama.Chet is the literal worst.Someone says something racist.Rachel has an attack of conscience.Take a shot if/when:Adam comes back for Season 2.Two if Adam and Rachel get together.Rachel actually quits “Everlasting”There’s yet another awkwardly voyeuristic sex scene.Two if it’s The Suitor screwing someone he’s not supposed to (Adam flashbacks, anyone?).Rachel/Quinn does something terrible but says it’s feminist.Finish your drink when:The producers cross the line.Quinn and Rachel have one of their rare, real friendship moments.FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!You catch yourself admiring one of our two favorite antiheros, Quinn and Rachel because they are kind of the worst.You swear you’ll never watch reality TV again (even though we both know you don’t mean it).As always, drink responsibly and with others. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen to the podcast. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @Line_Drunk.

This has always been a film I have enjoyed with a great cast and a great story to keep you intrigued. I would also recommend the tv show if you get a chance to watch it, too bad it only lasted one season. This is such a great thriller from the 90s, so rent it or buy a copy online. Policewoman Amelia Donaghy (Angelina Jolie) is in hot pursuit of a serial murderer whose calling card is a small shard of bone extracted from each of his victims. Unable to decipher the cryptic clues the killer leaves behind at the scene of the crime, Amelia calls upon quadriplegic forensic criminology expert Lincoln Rhyme (Denzel Washington) to help. With Amelia acting as Rhyme's able-bodied go-between, the pair piece together disparate clues, hoping they will learn who the next victim is.The Bone Collector:🥃 Ingredients:1.5 oz Rye whiskey (or bourbon, for a smoother edge)0.75 oz Amaro (Averna or Cynar for depth and herbal complexity)0.5 oz Cherry Heering (adds a dark, blood-red sweetness)0.25 oz Activated charcoal simple syrup* (gives a black, bone-chilling hue)2 dashes chocolate bittersGarnish: Luxardo cherry speared through a miniature bone (can be a novelty cocktail pick or a plastic prop)*Charcoal Simple Syrup (optional): Mix 1/2 cup water + 1/2 cup sugar + 1 capsule of activated charcoal (food-grade). Stir until dissolved.🧪 Directions:Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.Stir for 20–30 seconds until well chilled.Strain into a chilled coupe or over a large ice cube in a rocks glass.Garnish with the bone-picked cherry.Drinking Game:🥂 Take 1 Sip When:Someone says "evidence" or "forensics"Lincoln Rhyme gives a command from bedA new clue is foundA body is discoveredAmelia looks visibly disturbed but continues anywayThere's a close-up of a gruesome detailLincoln uses his voice-controlled computer🥃 Take 2 Sips When:Someone questions Amelia's involvementA creepy location is explored aloneThe killer's plan becomes clearerSomeone touches something without glovesA crime scene is revisited🧠 Finish Your Drink When:The killer is revealedThe final trap is sprungLincoln has a philosophical moment about death or choiceAmelia fully embraces the role of detective🧴 Bonus Rules:"The Clue Rule": If someone correctly predicts the next clue, they may choose another player to drink."The Bone Rule": If anyone says "Bone Collector," everyone must toast and take a sip.As always, drink responsibly and with others. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen to the podcast. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @Line_Drunk.