Club Kid

Taking responsibility has never been Peter’s strong point. Alcohol, drugs, partying—those are more his thing. He’s a club kid, as the title of Jordan Firstman’s feature debut suggests: a guy who has somehow failed to grow up. Still, he’s made himself a name in the New York night scene and even earns a decent living with his job as a promoter alongside his business partner Sophie (Cara Delevingne). But the party seems to be over when young Arlo (Reggie Absolom) suddenly turns up, who is supposedly Peter’s son and the result of a one-night stand ten years ago that he cannot remember for the life of him. After all, he’s gay and always has been. Now that Arlo’s mother has suddenly passed away, though, it’s time for Peter to wake up and get his act together. The only question is who’s actually bringing up whom in this quirky tragicomedy. What sets CLUB KID aside from other surprise parenting stories is partly its setting—a vibrant gay techno scene full of flamboyant, drug-fuelled yet essentially warm- hearted characters who take Arlo under their wing. Conceived as a satire on millennials’ lack of direction and purpose, Firstman (who also plays the lead role) hits the mark with this bittersweet father-son story that is as affectionate as it is deeply moving. (Pamela Jahn)

Jordan Firstman: CALL YOUR FATHER (2016, K), MEN DON’T WHISPER (2017, K)