Charli xcx spoofs herself in 'The Moment'
Deutsche Welle
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
British pop star Charli xcx has created a mockumentary titled *The Moment*, which satirizes the trend of concert films that have become popular in recent years. Instead of following the traditional formula, Charli’s film flips the genre to critique its commercial motivations. After achieving widespread success with her 2024 album *Brat*, she was approached to make a concert film but chose instead to parody the format. The result is a meta-commentary on the pressures faced by artists in the music industry.
Directed by Aidan Zamiri, *The Moment* follows Charli in an alternative timeline where she agrees to create a concert film for her *Brat* album, despite her reservations about its commercial intent. The mockumentary explores the clash between artistic vision and corporate interests, featuring cameos from Rachel Sennott, Julia Fox, and Kylie Jenner as exaggerated versions of themselves. It also highlights Charli’s absurd promotional stunts, such as a fictional "Brat" credit card for queer fans, which reflects real-life pressures on artists to monetize their work.
In an interview at the Berlinale film festival, Charli opened up about her struggles with losing creative control in collaborations with brands and promoters. While she is grateful for the broader audience *
Verticals
worldpolitics
Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/19/2026