"Club Kid": Behind the Scenes of Jordan Firstman's Breakout Film Phenomenon
An exclusive interview with Jordan Firstman, director and star of the hit film Club Kid, which made waves at Cannes and scored a record A24 deal.
Independent American cinema has found a fresh and daring voice. Premiered at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, Club Kid, written, directed, and starred in by Jordan Firstman, has evolved far beyond a typical feature debut into a true cultural phenomenon. Bolstered by rave reviews, the film sparked a fierce bidding war among US distributors before being scooped up by A24 for a historic 17 million dollars.
Fighting for artistic integrity
Navigating years of rejection before getting his breakthrough, Firstman emphasizes the importance of relentless perseverance in the filmmaking industry. Facing pressure from producers wanting to soften the tone or cut specific scenes, the filmmaker stood his ground: "I learned to fight for my vision." Every frame of the finished product reflects his uncompromising creative intent.
The nightlife as a sacred space
Avoiding heavy-handed moral judgments, the narrative treats the underground nightlife scene with authenticity and reverence, framing it as a sanctuary for the queer community. By casting standout trans actresses like Miss Benny, Saturn Risin9, and Alaska Riley, Firstman fostered a positive and supportive on-set environment that deeply impacted actors like Reggie Absolom.
Praise from cinematic icons
The picture's meteoric rise has brought surreal moments of validation, catching the attention of legendary auteurs including Pedro Almodóvar, Luca Guadagnino, and Sofia Coppola. Looking ahead, Firstman is eager to helm his next cinematic project while keeping an open mind about acting roles—even jokingly eyeing a potential biopic about fashion designer Marc Jacobs.