Charli XCX's Secret Film Project in Poland Revealed: A Collaborative Exploration of Creativity and Artistic Freedom

In the midst of the "Brat" summer phenomenon, pop superstar Charli XCX quietly slipped away to Poland for a couple of weeks in August to collaborate on a secret film project with playwright and actor Jeremy O. Harris and filmmaker Pete Ohs. The resulting work, titled "ERUPCJA," promises to be a captivating exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the power of artistic expression, set against the vibrant backdrop of the city of Warsaw.

Unleashing Creativity: Charli XCX, Jeremy O. Harris, and Pete Ohs Defy Conventions to Craft a Cinematic Gem

Embracing the Unexpected: Charli XCX's Transformation and the Collaborative Process

Charli XCX, known for her bold and innovative music, has now set her sights on the world of filmmaking, teaming up with the visionary director Pete Ohs and the acclaimed playwright and actor Jeremy O. Harris. The trio's collaborative process has been a refreshing departure from the traditional Hollywood model, embracing spontaneity and creative freedom as the driving forces behind the project.Ohs, known for his unique approach to filmmaking, has developed a process that allows for a level of flexibility and experimentation rarely seen in the industry. By starting with a location that inspires him, in this case, the city of Warsaw, and then working closely with his actors to develop the characters and storyline, Ohs creates an environment where mistakes are celebrated and the creative process is allowed to unfold organically.Charli XCX, who initially reached out to Ohs after a chance encounter in New York, was immediately drawn to this approach. "The way he talked about making his films felt akin to making an album, and the chance meeting also felt equivalent to the conversational and spontaneous nature of his filmmaking," she explains. "Our processes felt linked in some kind of way, and it felt right and exciting to pursue some kind of collaboration."Embracing the opportunity to step outside of her pop star persona, Charli XCX was eager to take on a role that was completely different from her public image. "She was like, 'I think it should be completely not me. I feel like I could play super shy,'" Ohs recalls, hinting at the transformation Charli XCX will undergo in her portrayal of the character Bethany.

Navigating the Challenges of Secrecy and Spontaneity

The production of "ERUPCJA" has been marked by a delicate balance of secrecy and spontaneity. Despite Charli XCX's global fame, the team managed to keep the project under wraps for a time, with the news only leaking on social media when the popular handle @FilmUpdates posted a vague notice about the collaboration.However, the very nature of Ohs' filmmaking process made it challenging to maintain complete secrecy. "Every single person in the club was like, 'Oh my god, Charli XCX is here to do a secret performance,'" Harris recounts, laughing about the difficulties of shooting a scene in a Warsaw nightclub.The team's commitment to spontaneity and in-the-moment creativity also meant that the script was not fully written in advance, with the dialogue often being crafted the day before or even the morning of filming. This approach, while liberating, presented its own set of challenges, as Harris explains: "It is kind of crazy. It is a challenge, but it makes it really fun, and it makes it not feel like a job. It makes it feel like this is pure creativity."

Exploring the Complexities of Relationships and the Influence of Place

At the heart of "ERUPCJA" is a story that explores the combustible relationship between two women, one Polish and the other, Bethany, played by Charli XCX, visiting the country. The film's title, which means "eruption" in Polish, serves as a metaphor for the sudden release of tension and pressure that can occur in such intense interpersonal dynamics.The city of Warsaw itself plays a crucial role in the narrative, becoming a character in its own right. "It's a city movie, meaning the city of Warsaw, Poland is a character unto itself," Ohs explains, highlighting the importance of the film's setting in shaping the characters and their experiences.The inclusion of a volcanic eruption as a central plot point further underscores the themes of sudden, unpredictable change and the powerful forces that can shape human lives. Ohs' inspiration for this element came from a chance conversation with a man who had been trapped in Warsaw for a month when a volcano erupted in Iceland, grounding flights across Europe.

Assembling a Talented Ensemble: Charli XCX, Jeremy O. Harris, and Beyond

Rounding out the lead ensemble of "ERUPCJA" are the acclaimed actor Lena Góra, known for her award-winning performance in "Imago," and Will Madden, who has become a muse for Ohs, having collaborated with the director on several previous projects.The casting of Charli XCX in a role that challenges her public persona is a testament to her versatility as an artist. "Charli is an excellent actress," Ohs affirms. "She is a performer. She understands what it's like to have a camera pointed at her. She understands how to convey things through all the different ways in which we communicate, whether it's with body language or your voice or your facial expressions."Harris, who has worked with Ohs on the HBO documentary "Slave Play. Not a Movie. A Play," brings his own unique perspective to the project, drawing inspiration from the hidden enclaves of artistic and cultural diversity that exist within the seemingly homogenous landscape of Poland.

Embracing the Spirit of Experimentation and Artistic Freedom

The collaborative approach embraced by Charli XCX, Harris, and Ohs in the making of "ERUPCJA" represents a refreshing departure from the traditional Hollywood model, where financial pressures and the pursuit of commercial success can often stifle the creative process.As Harris eloquently explains, "There's so much pressure on everyone, especially post-pandemic, to make sure everything is the most financially-viable thing ever. And I fear that if that is the mode by which we're all making movies, we won't get another 'Daughters of the Dust.' We won't get another 'Paris, Texas.' We won't get 'Stranger Than Paradise.'"In contrast, Ohs' "table of bubbles" metaphor, which emphasizes the need to create a safe, pressure-free space for creativity to thrive, has been a guiding principle for the team. This approach has allowed them to embrace the joy of filmmaking, to revel in mistakes, and to see them as opportunities for growth and discovery.As the editing process for "ERUPCJA" continues, the team remains excited about the potential of this project to inspire a new generation of filmmakers to embrace the power of experimentation and artistic freedom. By sharing their unique collaborative journey, they hope to encourage others to step outside the confines of traditional filmmaking and to find their own paths to creative fulfillment.