Sam Espensen Of Espensen Spirit Interview Part I - Forbidden Worlds Film Festival 2026
Sam Espensen, barmaid and spirits curator at the Forbidden Worlds Film Festival 2026, reveals how her cocktail creations are meticulously themed to match the mood and mythology of each film—like a 'Sword and Stone' mead for medieval epics and a glitter-drenched 'Isabeau's Revenge' Negroni to match the romantic intensity of Ladyhawk. She defends the nostalgic power of films like *The Clan of the Cave Bear*, not for their modern sensibilities but for how they first made prehistoric life feel real to her at 13. Her cocktails aren’t just drinks—they’re immersive experiences, complete with edible glitter, themed garnishes, and even booze-filled VHS cases that double as novelty gifts. Espensen celebrates the festival’s emotional curation, calling the film lineup a 'playlist' designed to guide audience energy, and shares her personal excitement for seeing *Highlander* on the big screen for the first time—especially the 'poncing around with swords' and the delightfully absurd accents that defined her childhood cinema. Beyond the drinks, Espensen reflects on how film fandom evolves: the same movies that once felt groundbreaking now seem dated, yet the emotional imprint remains. She embraces the festival’s role as a space where people experience films for the first time, surrounded by passionate, polarized reactions.
Craft cocktails that mirror a film’s emotional tone—like a glittery, strong 'Isabeau's Revenge' Negroni to match a romantic fantasy.
Themed garnishes and packaging (like VHS cases with gin inside) turn drinks into collectible, shareable experiences.
The Forbidden Worlds Film Festival curates films like a music playlist, balancing energy and mood to guide audience emotion.
Nostalgic films like *The Clan of the Cave Bear* resonate not for their accuracy, but for how they made history feel alive to a young viewer.
Revisit old favorites with a critical eye, but honor the emotional truth they held at the time of first viewing.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to Forbidden Worlds 2026
Spider-Dan and Mike welcome Sam Espensen, barmaid and spirits curator, to the Forbidden Worlds Film Festival, setting the tone with playful banter and a focus on the festival’s fantasy and swords-and-sorcery theme.
Sam’s Love for Mythic Fantasy and Film Curation
“For me there was a triumvirate of that and Splash and then of course Pris in Blade Runner. And so for me she was just always... top 10, you know, iconic heroine.”
Cocktails as Immersive Storytelling
“I genuinely do try and match drinks to what I feel is the essence of the film. Yes, absolutely. And also which ones will get you more drunk?”
The Art of Themed Drinks and Novelty Packaging
“People think they're getting a DVD of Bergerac, uh, VHS rather of Bergerac and inside this and yeah, and, and, and inside those, there's Gin instead.”
Anticipation for Highlander and Fan Culture
“I had to disappoint him and say, I'm really sorry sir, but I put that, I recycled that for you.”
“And I had to disappoint him and say, I'm really sorry sir, but I put that, I recycled that for you.”
“So people think they're getting a DVD of Bergerac, uh, VHS rather of Bergerac and inside this and yeah, and, and, and inside those, there's Gin instead.”
“But when I'm creating my cocktail menu for the festival, I genuinely do try and match drinks to what I feel is the essence of the film. Yes, absolutely. And also which ones will get you more drunk?”
Hosts
Guest
Sam Espensen
person
Forbidden Worlds Film Festival
other
Daryl Hannah
person
The Clan of the Cave Bear
media
Ladyhawk
media
Highlander
media
Espenson Spirits
brand
Inspector Moore
other
Bergerac
other
Sword and Stone
other
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