The Moment: The Anti-Blockbuster

I know Fleas, back so soon. Let me explain.

It was last Monday morning in the free coach back up to Katoomba where the LE (Lake Estate) Home resides, neighbouring Twelve Tribes. I had been out all night at the Crown looking for a bust: sneaking in and out of bathrooms looking for this guy from my Instagram feed that reviews the cocaine-accessibility of toilet rims. I thought the guy should have a lot of money on hand. Myth busted. I had to give too many mint holders coins in fistfuls of change, to negotiate good karma. The cost of a lifelong debt.

Walking home, I searched for a wisp of collated silk I could maybe fashion into a rope - to expire myself. Millionaires always say debt is better than actual money, but I think it’s because they have shares in the banks. I was staring at What pecking loose balls off the driveway's asphalt for ten minutes, or $4.15 MWT (Minimum Wage Time), waiting for some ACME anvil to drop down on me. I kept noticing her head-geared skull twitching to the right, when I noticed the letter on the porch. Another summons.

I was expected to attend a fan screening of THE MOMENT, Charli XCX's new film. I was too busy that week collecting carpark cents and mulberries for What to sustain off, that when I arrived at the cinema, I noticed the marquee had SOLD OUT. I walked in and said I was watching a preview for GOAT, which was close enough. So there I was, within a box of screen-lit granny smiths, a $0 appletini by the hip, ready to renew my vows with Charli.

Disclaimer:

1. I am NOT a SNOB. Although I talk like I know things, I really don't. I am a man of people. Albeit probably a bit sociopathic and autistic, bipolar, and slightly perma-fried, but I am always wanting to join in the fun.
2. The BF deducted a donation* a reader gave because he didn't deem my review, review-y enough. So...

'Review':

Aidan Zamiri's debut film is an anti-blockbuster, a statement against the current malaise and misogyny that has found a sudden reprise in today’s world. The effectiveness however doesn’t entirely meet expectations, but this is a movie made to entertain the fans - those already clued in. It both satirises and examines the personal strife of a modern day popstar, how a star can burn itself. Leading the viewer through a semi-parodic portrayal of Charli XCX's experience through the barrel wave of cultural and industry pressure on the lead up to her Brat arena tour. Focusing on her struggle to both capitalise on the success whilst staying true to herself, as Charli's label attempts to control her vision, including hiring a parasitic, wing-nut to direct her concert film.

I say Anti-Blockbuster because unlike most satirical films/films in general, there is no use of parodic brands. Atlantic Records is Atlantic Records. Amazon Music is Amazon Music. Kylie Jenner is Kylie Jenner. The movie sheens with cinematography like that of stills from a vogue cover interview and cameos of your favourite internet celebrities, with a couple of esoteric jokes that can feel at times like a gated vigil for Brat. But it's an authenticity often lacked in major motion pictures (even if this thing is running off a $4 million budget). My mind goes back to a moment where Charli and her Creative Director discuss how the director they hired only makes other women look like “advertisements”. This film is not an advertisement, it is a statement, ready for you to embrace or to fuck off.

Now that is not to say that the film is some grandiose heady art film. It’s a piece of entertainment. The film is really funny. The same genre of dryness one would find on a BBC sitcom, which was oddly acquainted with my personal image of Charli being some kind of LA Club Royalty. I was truthfully expecting something Giallo / I Love LA-esque. I expected to hate this film, slightly.

Not to say I loved it - I did have some personal gripes, i.e. I found some of the symbolism to be a bit trite (the bird subplot) and the attempts to drive tension via overstimulating title cards between scenes did grow a bit tiresome. Even if, in its own commentary, the film does comment on the possibility of the epileptic motifs driving people away, I thought it only plateaued into aesthetic motif than driving things further down a rabbit hole.

Nevertheless, I found this film to have a gorgeous current of meaning melded underneath the aesthetics and humour. Charli was able to portray herself as a raw open heart, expressing see-through facades into the existential dread as peers and executives try to tack her down to mug her, much like me and @mc_yalla. Rapidly juggling the chainsaws of expectations and the immediacy of expiration at only the beginning of superstardom, competing against younger female performers/celebrities. I was moved multiple times by Charli's perfomance which could haphazardly become cliché, the film is a modern day Opening Night by John Cassavetes (which Charli has given a 5 on letterboxd, I thought it was too long). I liked it a whole star more than Opening Night and one less than Cars.

But knowing a thing or two about clichés (having read Infinite Jest and then subsequently publishing my own Reader's Guide which you can purchase for only $9.99 via enquiring thabossflea@gmail.com**). The movie can feel like its saying what has already been said, but the execution is a whole lot more bombastic. And there is something to be said from the mouth of a GOAT of the zeitgiest - yeah I brought it back. The film graphs out the nature of persona within the music industry framework, how generic and young will always stand out, but when a generational talent defies all expectations, the reaction will always be one of hot potato. Charli and Aidan were able to create something so unexpected, yet symbolic of this era in Charli's career. I cannot wait to see what they both do next.

If you actually love feminism, caffeine, social justice and Brat, please go watch this film. Do not expect a cashgrab, but do expect to be moved at times and expect a good time.

Editor's Notes:
*no such donation was ever received but are always welcome.

**only accepting genuine offers, don't waste our time!