“Everything about them is genuine”

Michael Fassbender has praised the band Kneecap, after appearing in their award-winning biopic.

Released in 2024, Kneecap is the story of the rise of the Belfast rap group of the same name, whose Irish-language raps put a spotlight on the country’s identity.

The film’s writer-director, Rich Peppiatt, won the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer at this year’s ceremony. During his acceptance speech, he dedicated his award to everyone who “should have their homeland respected”.

Fassbender, best known for the X-Men films and Oscar-winning dramas like 12 Years A Slave, played Arlo Ó Cairealláin, the estranged father of one of the group and a former republican paramilitary who faked his own death to evade British authorities. Although born in Germany, Fassbender was raised in Ireland.

Speaking to IndieWire ahead of his new film Black Bag, he talked about what drew him to the role, singling out the group’s authenticity as a reason for his involvement.

“I loved what they were doing,” he said. “As soon as I saw their music videos and what they were all about, I thought, ‘These guys are the real deal, and everything about them is genuine”.

“There’s nothing contrived about them. They’re smart, they’re funny, and they’ve got an infectious energy. They’re born performers. They’re doing exactly what they’re supposed to do in life”.

NME’s five-star review said of the movie: “Unapologetically ballsy and brave, Kneecap has no business being as good as it is – not only one of the standout films of 2024, but arguably one of the best music biopics of all time”.

Recently, Michael Fassbender talked about a film series he was in talks to join, the James Bond series, and how he promoted eventual 007 Daniel Craig instead of himself.

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