A time capsule of creativity and community in isolation.
Cast your mind back to early 2020. The world was shutting down, and we were all stuck inside, trying to figure out how to navigate a new, frighteningly quiet reality. While many of us were learning to bake bread or binge-watching everything on Netflix, pop visionary Charli XCX launched a wildly ambitious project: to create an entire album from scratch in lockdown, in just 40 days.
The resulting documentary, Charli XCX: Alone Together, chronicles the making of her critically acclaimed album 'How I'm Feeling Now'. But this is far from your typical glossy, behind-the-scenes music film. Instead, it’s an intimate, raw, and deeply human look at creativity under pressure, a relationship tested by quarantine, and the incredible bond between an artist and her fans.
Created by and for the 'Angels'
What made the 'How I'm Feeling Now' project so special was Charli's decision to completely open up her creative process. She didn't just make an album for her fans; she made it with them. Through a whirlwind of Instagram Lives, Zoom calls, and group chats, her dedicated fanbase—known as the 'Angels'—became her collaborators. They voted on lyrics, submitted visuals for music videos, and provided the feedback and encouragement she needed to get through the intense five-week deadline.
The film shines a spotlight on this unique relationship. For many of Charli's fans, a large and vocal part of whom are from the LGBTQ+ community, this project became a lifeline. In a period of profound isolation, being part of this collective creative effort provided a sense of purpose and, most importantly, community. Alone Together features many of these fans directly, sharing their stories and showing how this digital connection helped them cope with the loneliness of lockdown.
Love in Lockdown
While the album's creation is the film's backbone, its heart is Charli's relationship with her boyfriend, Huck Kwong. After seven years of a mostly long-distance relationship, they suddenly found themselves living together 24/7 for the first time. The documentary doesn't shy away from the strain this puts on them.
We see the unfiltered reality: the arguments, the moments of doubt, and the vulnerability of navigating couple's therapy via video call. It’s a relatable and honest portrayal of how the pandemic tested relationships, grounding the high-flying pop-star narrative in something very real and personal.
Where to Watch
Alone Together is a moving, DIY-style film that captures a specific, strange moment in time. It’s a story about how art can be a powerful tool for connection and a testament to how a queer-coded online space became a real source of strength. If you're a fan of Charli, or just interested in a story about community and creativity in the face of isolation, this is a must-see.
The documentary was broadcast as part of the AVROTROS series 'Close Up' and is available to stream in the Netherlands on NPO Start.
