Charli XCX on Why "The Moment" Had to Film in the UK

As Charli XCX officially closes the door on the "Brat" era, she’s doing it with a wink, a strobe light, and a very British sense of humor. Following the world premiere of her A24 mockumentary The Moment at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, the singer revealed why shooting the project in the United Kingdom was "non-negotiable" for capturing the true essence of her whirlwind year.

Speaking at the festival in Park City, Utah, Charli explained that despite the film’s high-profile American backing, the DNA of The Moment is rooted entirely in her Essex and London upbringing.

"The Tone Wouldn't Have Been the Same Anywhere Else"

The Moment follows a fictionalized, "hell version" of Charli as she navigates the transition from niche pop star to global commodity. For Charli and director Aidan Zamiri, the gritty, grey-skied backdrop of London was essential to the film's satirical bite.

“I’m British, Aidan’s from Glasgow—it felt very important for us to be there shooting it,” Charli told Screen Daily. “I don’t think the tone or the visual language would’ve been the same if we’d shot it in LA or New York. It needed to feel real, like it was really the life I was living.”

Director Aidan Zamiri echoed this sentiment, noting that the "Brat" phenomenon was a product of British club culture. “It was a very British group of people making a film; to us, that was the sense of humour, and tone of voice and point of view—it was the stuff we grew up with,” he said.

Iconic UK Locations

Filmed throughout the spring and summer of 2025, The Moment utilizes London as its "hero location," moving away from polished tourist spots in favor of the "real" experience of a touring musician.

• Dagenham & Hoxton: Used for gritty rehearsal spaces and late-night studio sessions.

• Surrey Quays: Featured in the film’s surreal car sequences (which make up a significant portion of the runtime).

• The O2 Arena: Providing the "high stakes" backdrop for the film's fictionalized world tour.

Producer David Hinojosa (the mind behind Past Lives and Bodies Bodies Bodies) admitted he is now "literally trying to rewrite movies" so he can return to film in the UK. “Charli’s Britishness really pops there,” he noted.

The Plot: A "2024 Period Piece"

Rather than a traditional concert film, The Moment is described as a psychological "horror-comedy" in the vein of Black Swan meets This Is Spinal Tap.

• The Conflict: Charli plays an exaggerated, insecure version of herself struggling to maintain creative control against Johannes (played by a scene-stealing Alexander Skarsgård), a "condescending art-bro" director hired by the label to make the Brat tour more "family-friendly."

• The Spon-Con Satire: The film features absurd plotlines including the launch of a neon-green "Brat" credit card and a collaboration with a bank that attempts to "monetize the vibe."

• The Cast: The ensemble features a mix of Hollywood and indie royalty, including Rosanna Arquette as a snarling record exec, Jamie Demetriou as her ineffectual manager, and cameos from Kylie Jenner, Rachel Sennott, and Julia Fox.

Critical Reception and Release Dates

The film has received polarizing reviews since its Sundance debut, with some critics calling it a "smart, anti-capitalist reckoning" while others, including The Hollywood Reporter, labeled it "more fan service than funny." Regardless of the debate, it remains the most-discussed music film of 2026.

As Charli handed out green "Brat" beanies to fans in the freezing Utah snow, she confirmed that this film marks her final goodbye to the lime-green aesthetic. "As long as I don't have to go on tour and do more stuff... as long as I get to stay at home," she joked, handing the movement over to the fans.

Source - https://www.screendaily.com/news/charli-xcx-on-why-brat-mockumentary-the-moment-had-to-film-in-the-uk/5212991.article

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