Jordan Firstman, Cara Delevingne, and Diego Calva on Partying, Connection, and Life Before Trump at Cannes Studio
A24 Acquires Jordan Firstman’s ‘Club Kid’ Following Cannes Premiere
Today at the Cannes Film Festival, A24 secured the global distribution rights to Jordan Firstman’s film Club Kid. The acquisition came in the wake of multiple eight-figure offers after the film’s debut in the Un Certain Regard section, where it garnered an impressive seven-minute standing ovation.
Club Kid features Firstman in the role of Peter, a troubled club promoter battling substance abuse issues. His complicated relationship with colleague Sophie, played by Cara Delevingne, takes a turn when a British clubgoer named Edison, portrayed by Kirby Howell-Baptiste, brings him a surprise: Arlo, the ten-year-old son Peter never knew he had. As Peter navigates this new reality with the help of his therapist, Oscar (Diego Calva), he begins to open himself up to love and acceptance.
Reflecting on the inspiration for Club Kid, Firstman shared, “There was a period in my life where — it’s going to sound wrong — I was just around a bunch of kids for some reason. My friends started having kids and I was getting along with them in a funny way. So, in the first iteration, I thought, ‘Oh, me and a kid, funny, ha ha.’ Then I went through a breakup that made me explore deeper themes of love and addiction.”
Delevingne, addressing her role as Sophie, remarked on the challenges of portraying a neurotic drug addict: “It’s a real stretch playing a neurotic drug addict,” she joked, alluding to her own experiences.
The film’s cast expressed a nostalgic appreciation for the era it depicts, particularly the vibrant culture before the 2016 election. “2016 was the best year,” Firstman recalled. “Right before Trump got elected, it was like heaven… music was incredible, and life felt free.”
Delevingne echoed these sentiments, talking about her connection with Firstman: “We’d met before, at parties, and I really loved his work… I felt so enamored by [the script], both its gravity and levity.”
The narrative also explores Sophie’s struggles, as Delevingne noted, “I think her part in the movie is her finding her own way and grappling with mistakes.”
In the film, Calva’s character forms an intimate bond with Peter, which Calva attributes to the trusting environment Firstman created on set. “Jordan has this superpower; he creates a space where you feel safe to play,” he said. “I do think you have to fall in love for real in every character.”
For those interested in a deeper exploration of the film, additional insights can be found in the video above.
‘Club Kid’
L to R: Cara Delevingne, Jordan Firstman, Reggie Absolom and Diego Calva at the ‘Club Kid’ premiere in Cannes. France
