PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Charli XCX stars as herself in "The Moment," a meta mockumentary that explores the conclusion of "Brat summer" while delving into the complexities of navigating extraordinary success. The pop star shared her thoughts with The Associated Press shortly after the film's premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
The 33-year-old artist, hailing from Essex, has been entrenched in the music industry since she was just 16. Her career path has been anything but linear, culminating in 2024 with the release of her sixth studio album, "Brat." This album became a cultural phenomenon, giving Charli XCX a brief moment of feeling understood before the pressures of fame shifted once again.
Charli reflected on the high expectations placed upon her, noting, "There was this sort of, kind of, you know, persona that people really associated me with, and then there were a lot of expectations put on me as a person, as an artist, of who I was then supposed to be." This tumultuous existence prompted her desire to confront the existential challenges she faced in her career.
Believing a straightforward documentary wouldn't adequately convey her story, Charli and Aidan Zamiri, a Scottish photographer and music video director, collaborated on "The Moment." The film draws inspiration from classics such as "This is Spinal Tap" and "Black Swan," blending humor and heightened reality while featuring real-life personalities like Kylie Jenner and Rachel Sennott playing themselves. Charli described the film as "an accurate depiction of what I’ve experienced in the music industry," though she clarified that not all decisions made by her character were representative of her own choices.
"The Moment" is poised to be one of the standout films at the festival and will land in theaters sooner than most, with its premiere scheduled for January 30 in New York and Los Angeles, expanding nationwide on February 6. In the plot, Charli faces multiple pressures as the Brat summer winds down, from staging a concert film for Amazon with an unwanted director portrayed by Alexander Skarsgård, to promoting a Brat credit card and conforming to music executives' demands. As she grapples with sleep deprivation and mounting stress, her journey becomes a commentary on the music industry.
Director Aidan Zamiri, who has established a close friendship with Charli through various music projects, was eager to take on the challenge of his first feature film. He articulated the tension between external expectations and personal desires, explaining the importance of creativity in an industry that often compartmentalizes artists.
On the promotional front, Charli XCX remains heavily involved in marketing the film, reflecting her passion for blending creative vision with strategic outreach. "I love marketing, I really do," she emphasized, mentioning her partnership with A24 and their innovative campaigns.
Maintaining a focus on the creative process, she noted that crafting a film about such themes was deeply fulfilling, even when it meant navigating intense personal challenges. The energy surrounding "The Moment" has been infectious, creating a unique atmosphere at the Sundance Film Festival where fans were included in the premiere, enjoying celebrations together into the early hours.
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival has marked a significant milestone for Charli XCX as an actress, showcasing her talent in three films during the first weekend. These roles display her range and ability to carry diverse narratives, with her performance reflecting her personal journey and experiences in the entertainment landscape.
As a self-proclaimed cinephile, Charli XCX has logged over 1,357 films on her Letterboxd account, expressing admiration for diverse cinematic styles and directors. She shared her enthusiasm for being immersed in the filmmaking industry, appreciating opportunities to collaborate with well-known figures and eager to absorb as much knowledge as possible about the craft, stating, "I feel so incredibly lucky that I’ve been a part of the films that I have been part of thus far."
In summary, Charli XCX's transformation from pop star to filmmaker encapsulates a compelling narrative of creative passion and personal evolution as she boldly explores the intricacies of success and expectation through her work.
