Full Breakdown
Jordan Firstman's Directorial Debut “Club Kid” Opens Cannes
5/16/2026, 2:43:55 AM
Cannes Premiere and Plot Overview
“Club Kid” opened the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard sidebar on May 15 2026. The 1-hour-59-minute dramedy follows Peter (Jordan Firstman), a New York party promoter whose drug-filled routine is disrupted when British friend Edison (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) delivers his ten-year-old son Arlo (Reggie Absolom), forcing Peter to confront parenthood.
Production Background
Firstman wrote the script after a personal breakup, describing it as born of “great heartbreak.” Financing arrived from Topic Studios, A Real Pain, and producers Alex Coco and Galen Core. The film was shot on 35 mm in New York over 26 days, using real club venues and six club sequences, and secured Rihanna’s “Sex with Me” after Firstman’s direct outreach.
Cast and Crew
The principal cast includes Jordan Firstman (Peter), Cara Delevingne (Sophie), Reggie Absolom (Arlo), Kirby Howell-Baptiste (Edison), Diego Calva (Oscar), Eldar Isgandarov (Nicky) and Colleen Camp (neighbor). Adam Newport-Berra serves as cinematographer; Cristobal Tapia de Veer provides the score. UTA Independent Film Group and Charades handle sales.
Reception and Audience Response
Cannes audiences gave the film a standing ovation reported as six minutes by Variety and seven minutes by Deadline. Viewers cheered, cried, and captured a three-second kiss between Firstman and co-star Diego Calva that spread on social media. Critics note the shift from club culture to parental responsibility as a notable thematic turn.
Official Statements
Firstman told Variety the Debussy theater felt “like true glamour” and that he “could live in Debussy.” He said securing Rihanna’s track required “just trust” and that “there is a moment for it, and you can outgrow it.” Ryan Heller of Topic Studios called Firstman “a first-time filmmaker who is anything but green.”
Critical Perspectives
Hollywood Reporter called the film’s handling of Peter’s drug cessation “considerably smoothed,” while Vulture argued the protagonist remains “not fully rounded.” IndieWire praised the overall execution but flagged narrative shortcuts in the rapid shift to fatherhood.
Conflicting Reports
Variety cites a six-minute standing ovation; Deadline reports seven minutes. No U.S. distributor has been confirmed, though sales representation is secured through UTA and Charades.
Verbatim Quotes
- “What an honor to play in the Debussy theater. I love Debussy. I can’t get enough of the Debussy. I could live in Debussy. And I can’t wait for my film to screen in Debussy.” — Jordan Firstman, director
- “We got it to her, and she did.” — Jordan Firstman, on securing Rihanna’s song
- “You’ve got a kid! ‘Yay!,’” — Edison (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) delivering the news to Peter
Future Outlook
The film will continue its Un Certain Regard run at Cannes on May 16–17, with additional screenings in Salle Debussy and Cineum. Producers are pursuing U.S. distribution while sales teams market the title internationally.
