Call Your Father is a sharp, darkly comedic short film, approximately 20 minutes long, written, directed by, and starring Jordan Firstman. Released in 2017, the film centers on a first date between two gay men—Josh, a brash, self-absorbed phone addict in his mid-twenties, and Greg, a reserved, overly polite middle-aged man. What begins as an innocuous meet-up quickly spirals into a surreal, chaotic clash of personalities, illustrating how the generational divide between them is just the beginning of their complications.
Visually and tonally, the film operates with unapologetic bluntness. Josh, played by Firstman himself, embodies a glib, narcissistic caricature—outspoken, intrusive, and emotionally tone-deaf. His presence provokes irritation but also reveals deep insecurity, making him simultaneously repellent and fascinating. Conversely, Greg—portrayed by Craig Chester—is gently awkward, passive, and conflicted, weighed down by politeness that masks his discomfort. Throughout their encounter, Greg serves as a proxy for the audience, tempting viewers to consider just how much they would tolerate from someone like Josh before reaching a breaking point.
Beneath its satirical shell, Call Your Father probes broader themes of identity, authenticity, and the unspoken gulf dividing generations within the queer community. The film suggests that, while gay men are often expected to understand one another simply by virtue of shared sexuality, reality is far more complex. It unpacks an inherent tension between those shaped by pre–AIDS cultural memories and those raised in a post–AIDS era, showing that shared orientation does not guarantee emotional connection.
One of the film’s intentions is to portray flawed gay characters whose identities do not revolve around struggle or empowerment. Instead, they exist in their raw, messy human state—dysfunctional, awkward, and unapologetically real. Firstman has described the story as a love letter to older gay men, aiming to portray them with nuance and seriousness, not as punchlines or background figures.
Reception among viewers and critics was mixed, with reactions ranging from admiration for its fearless character work to frustration over its abrasive tone. Some praised the film's raw honesty and its ability to spark intense emotional responses. Others found it tedious, hyperbolic, or lacking in insight. Regardless, the film's strongest impact is its unflinching mirror held up to interpersonal dynamics in the queer community.
Call Your Father stands as a provocative, boundary-pushing short that resists comfort. Its strengths lie in its daring portrayal of flawed individuals, its unfiltered comedic edge, and its desire to deconstruct assumptions about generational unity in queer culture. Whether it compels admiration or repulsion, it is undeniably memorable, offering a stark reminder that communication—especially across generational lines—often fails before it begins.
