Jordan Firstman is having the run of his career at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. While he’s awestruck at the success of his directorial debut “Club Kid” — a festival selection that commanded a $17 million sale to A24 after a bidding war against six studio competitors – he technically knew it was going to happen.
“A psychic told me last week it was going to be A24,” Firstman shared with Variety, following wide acclaim for the film he wrote, directed and serves as star. HBO and Max Content CEO Casey Bloys connected Firstman with the clairvoyant, who also drew a card depicting a large crowd, saying “a ton of people are going to see this movie.”
That was certainly the case on the ground in the South of France, where “Club Kid” broke through the noise of the main competition titles and became an unconventional darling. Firstman plays a Manhattan club promoter, partying his life away until a 10-year-old boy shows up as the son he never knew he fathered. On screen, Firstman blends an unvarnished portrait of queer party culture with a heartwarming family yarn. In life, Firstman showcases a depth unfamiliar to his core audience, one used to his irreverent and comedic social media persona that’s occasionally drawn him backlash.
