Charli XCX Premieres ‘The Moment’ at Berlin, Signals New Creative Chapter

Charli XCX made her mark at the Berlin Film Festival on Saturday, premiering the mockumentary 'The Moment' in the festival's Panorama section. The film, which she co-produced and stars in, explores what happens when a pop artist reaches the peak of success and must decide what comes next. Standing alongside director Aidan Zamiri after the screening at Zoo Palast, the British pop star reflected on a career moment that has defined her past year and the uncertainty of what follows.

Background

The film itself is a satirical look at the aftermath of Charli XCX's 2024 album 'brat,' which sparked a cultural phenomenon known as 'brat summer.' Rather than a documentary or concert film, 'The Moment' is a fictional mockumentary that explores the pressure and exhaustion that comes with sudden, intense cultural relevance. The story follows a fictionalized version of Charli as she navigates greedy music executives, demanding tour preparations, and the constant push to capitalize on her success.

Charli XCX first shared the idea for the film with director Aidan Zamiri in September 2024, during her Sweat concert tour. She sent him what he described as a 'word vomit' message that captured her feelings about reaching everything she had worked toward and what that actually felt like as a person. Zamiri and co-writer Bertie Brandes developed the screenplay over the following months with input from the singer herself.

The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January before making its way to Berlin. It was released in the United States by A24 on January 30, receiving mixed reviews from critics. The cast includes Alexander Skarsgård as a film director eager to exploit Charli's success, along with appearances from celebrities playing ironic versions of themselves, including Kylie Jenner.

Key Details

During her appearance at the Berlin Film Festival, Charli XCX spoke about why this moment felt right to debut the film at major festivals rather than going straight to streaming. She expressed gratitude for having the film presented at both Sundance and Berlin, calling it a privilege.

"Both festivals truly support a diverse array of filmmakers with vital perspectives. The Berlinale especially is recognized for its openness to political cinema and films that address pressing social issues. As someone just beginning my journey in this field, I am deeply motivated to engage in those areas."

Her comments came at a notable moment for the festival itself. Just days earlier, jury president Wim Wenders had stated that cinema should remain apolitical when asked about the situation in Gaza. His remarks sparked controversy, leading author Arundhati Roy to cancel her attendance and two filmmakers to withdraw their films in protest.

Charli XCX described the filmmaking process as therapeutic. She drew extensively from her own experiences in the music industry to inform how the fictional version of herself responds to the chaos around her. The film explores what it means to overstay your welcome in a cultural moment, something she felt equipped to examine given her position at the center of 'brat summer.'

The Creative Process

Charli XCX was clear that while 'The Moment' is fiction, it reflects real frustrations from her work in music. She explained that creating the film allowed her to channel those frustrations into exaggerated scenarios. She even referenced drawing from personal moments, noting that yes, she has had emotional breakdowns while chain-smoking in the back of a van.

The film also features a soundtrack with new music, including tracks like 'Offscreen' and 'Residue,' which was accompanied by a music video featuring Charli and Kylie Jenner alongside what the production described as 'legions' of Charli's clones. The full soundtrack was released alongside the film's U.S. release.

What This Means

Charli XCX's move into filmmaking marks a significant shift in how artists are approaching their work beyond music. By co-producing and starring in 'The Moment,' she has taken creative control over how her own story is told, rather than waiting for others to document her rise. The film suggests she is thinking critically about celebrity, success, and the music industry itself.

Her comments at Berlin also signal where her interests lie creatively going forward. She has positioned herself as an artist willing to engage with cinema that addresses social issues and political questions. This comes at a time when many major filmmakers and studios are stepping back from festival circuits, making her presence at Berlin particularly notable.

For the broader music industry, 'The Moment' offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the machinery that surrounds a major pop moment. By turning her own experience into satire, Charli XCX has created something that feels both deeply personal and broadly relevant to anyone interested in how fame works in the modern era. The film's exploration of what happens after the peak of success is a question many artists face but few are willing to examine so directly and publicly.