Butterfly Jam

Butterfly Jam
Directed byKantemir Balagov
Screenplay by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJomo Fray
Edited by
  • Kantemir Balagov
  • Juliette Welfling
  • Mathilde Chazaud
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed byLe Pacte[1]
Release date
  • 13 May 2026 (2026-05-13) (Cannes)
Running time
102 minutes
CountryFrance
LanguageEnglish

Butterfly Jam is a 2026 French drama film directed by Kantemir Balagov, in his English-language debut, co-written with Marina Stepnova.[2] It stars Talha Akdogan, Riley Keough, Barry Keoghan and Harry Melling, and follows the Circassian diaspora in New Jersey.[3][1]

The film had its world premiere as the opening film of the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on 13 May.

Premise

16 years old Pyteh splits his time between the wrestling mat and his family’s struggling Circassian diner in Newark. A single impulsive decision by his hustling father changes the course of his life, shaping a tale of pride, legacy, and masculinity.[1]

Cast

Production

Development

The film was first reported as in development in 2022, shortly after Kantemir Balagov left Russia for exile in California following 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, which Balagov and his girlfriend Kira Kovalenko publicly criticized on their social media.[5] The screenplay was written by Balagov and Marina Stepnova, marking his English-language directing debut.

It was produced by Pascal Caucheteux for Why Not Productions and Alexander Rodnyansky for AR Content. Executive producers included Livia Van der Staay from Goodfellas. It was also co-produced by Arte France Cinéma and Pictanovo (Hauts-de-France region).[6][7]

Filming

Principal photography began on 2 April 2025 and took place in Northern France.[4] Harry Melling joined the cast in early April 2025,[8] followed by Tommy McInnis and Monica Bellucci.[7]

Jomo Fray was the director of photography, marking his first collaboration with Balagov.[4] Angelo Zamparutti was the production designer, while Judy Shrewsbury was the costume designer.[4]

Post-production

The film entered post-production by June 2025.[7]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on 13 May.[9]

Reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 48% based on 25 reviews, with an average rating of 4.8/10.[10] On Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, the film holds a score of 58/100 based on 11 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Butterfly Jam". Quinzaine des cinéastes. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  2. ^ Lodge, Guy (May 13, 2026). "'Butterfly Jam' Review: Barry Keoghan and Riley Keough Are Circassian Siblings in Kantemir Balagov's Vibrant but Unruly Community Portrait". Variety. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  3. ^ Ritman, Alex; Keslassy, Elsa (February 10, 2025). "Barry Keoghan, Riley Keough in Talks for 'Butterfly Jam' From 'Beanpole' Director Kantemir Balagov, 'Emilia Pérez' Producers". Variety. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d Lavallée, Eric (April 2, 2025). "Butterfly Jam Update: Kantemir Balagov Teams with Cinematographer Jomo Fray". Ion Cinema. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  5. ^ Vlessing, Etan (October 28, 2022). "Kantemir Balagov to Direct 'Butterfly Jam' for Square Peg, AR Content (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  6. ^ Lodderhose, Diana (May 7, 2024). "Goodfellas, Why Not Productions Board Kantemir Balagov's English-Language Debut 'Butterfly Jam' With AR Content — Cannes Market". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c Lemercier, Fabien (June 4, 2025). "Kantemir Balagov's Butterfly Jam now in post-production". Cineuropa.org. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  8. ^ Grobar, Matt (April 8, 2025). "Harry Melling Joins Barry Keoghan & Riley Keough In Kantemir Balagov's 'Butterfly Jam'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  9. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (April 14, 2026). "Cannes Directors' Fortnight Unveils Starry 2026 Lineup". Deadline. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
  10. ^ "Butterfly Jam". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
  11. ^ "Butterfly Jam Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 25, 2026.

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