When Life Gives You Lemons... Make SOUR PARTY!

By Alisha Proffitt • Photos By Kathryn Harrington 

If you’ve ever had a dream crash and burn in spectacular fashion- then Louisville native, writer, filmmaker and actress Samantha Westervelt’s new film Sour Party might just be your new favorite movie. Described as an irreverent comedy packed with absurdity, slapstick, and, yes, even fart jokes, this indie gem is an ode to artistic misadventure. 

Los Angeles is a city built on dreams, and also on the crushing weight of those dreams collapsing in on themselves. For Samantha and writer-director duo The Drextons, Sour Party was born from the ashes of their own artistic frustrations. After hitting their breaking point in the summer of 2021, they decided that if they were going to fail, they might as well fail sensationally… and hilariously. 

Pooling their resources (read: rounding up every actor they knew and scouting whatever settings they could beg, borrow, or steal), the team quickly realized they had a story to tell. A road trip movie where the protagonists never actually reach their destination? It was perfect. And so, Sour Party was born. 

For Samantha, screening the film at Baxter Avenue Theatre was a full-circle moment. “Gosh, it was such a special moment. A real dream come true! I think I might have used the word ‘surreal’ a few times, but I’m not sure that truly encapsulates the feeling,” says Westervelt. “If I could meet my teenage self and tell her about it, honestly, she would probably believe me and say something like ‘well duh,’ because she was a dreamer. And kind of a brat!” Despite the setbacks, despite the madness, despite the literal sound nightmare of filming above a rage room (more on that later), the dream had found its way home. 

Of course, for those who couldn’t make the premiere, don’t worry. Sour Party will be available on VOD and BluRay starting this June, so you can experience all its ridiculous glory from the comfort of your own couch.

If you’re wondering what kind of humor Sour Party delivers, let’s just say it runs the gamut. Expect slapstick, gross-out gags, and a mix of on-the-nose and blink-and-you-miss-it jokes. Oh, and a particularly infamous pee-splashing moment that reportedly earns an audible gasp from audiences every time. All jokes aside, at its core, Sour Party is about friendship. That even when everything goes off the rails, your ride-or-die will still be there, probably laughing at your misfortune, but there nonetheless.

Every indie film has its production horror stories, and Sour Party is no exception. Take, for instance, the day they showed up to film a pivotal scene only to find their location had canceled at 4 AM. With mere hours to improvise, director Michael Drexton managed to book a new space, unknowingly right above a fully operational rage room. The crew had to shoot between the sound of smashing plates, thrash metal music, and furious screams.

Still, despite the chaos (or perhaps because of it), the film came together in a way that felt meant to be. Credit is due to production designer Lauren Argo, whose Kentucky roots and unstoppable determination helped shape the film’s distinctive aesthetic. “I have known Lauren for over 15 years, and in that time there are many things I have been inspired by, but her hardworking nature and dedication to executing her vision no matter what obstacles come her way have specifically pushed me to become the artist I am, and without a doubt contributed to her bringing the film’s aesthetic to life,” shares Westervelt. “I don’t want to put words in her mouth, but from my point of view, there is no doubt that her upbringing on a tobacco farm in Cynthiana, Kentucky laid the foundation for her drive and tenacity as an artist. It would be impossible for her Kentucky roots to not influence everything she does, because it’s part of who she is. Thank goodness!”

With screenings lined up in Long Beach, San Francisco, and NYC, Sour Party is continuing to spread its particular brand of joyful chaos across the country. And as for Samantha? She’s already at work on her next feature, set in Louisville, while also completing her first year of training at the William Esper Studio in NYC.

If Sour Party teaches us anything, it’s that failure isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning of the next great adventure. And if that adventure happens to include fart jokes and absurdist humor? Even better.

Follow Sour Party on Instagram @sourpartymovie for updates and keep up with Samantha @lilbiggulp for film news, new projects, and, of course, plenty of memes. After all, what’s life without a little irreverence?