Belfast rappers Kneecap take the silver screen by storm in a wildly entertaining biopic about their unlikely rise to stardom and grassroots fight for Irish civil rights. The self-described “low-life scum” went from selling drugs at raves to championing their native language with the passage of Northern Ireland’s Identity and Language Act in 2022. Director Rich Peppiatt captures lightning in a bottle with Kneecap, an earnest portrayal of how oppressed and angry youth found their voice and led the “ceasefire generation” to reclaim their heritage.
The hip-hop trio plays themselves and narrates their life story, which begins with an opening montage displaying British tyranny in Northern Ireland. The beginning of Kneecap is especially excellent thanks to the always-reliable Michael Fassbender, Arlo, a prominent member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). He’s the father of Naoise Ó Cairealláin, who would become “Móglaí Bap” in the band Kneecap; Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known by his stage name “Mo Chara,” introduces the narration.
Arlo teaches the boys to speak Irish (Gaeilge). He tells them that using their language is the best “bullet” against the English who want to erase Irish indigenous culture. Arlo instills a rebellious streak against authority. He says, in effect, ‘Go watch a cowboy movie from the Indigenous point of view and understand what is being done to our people.’ Arlo’s IRA activities force him to abandon young Naoise and his mother, Dolores (Simone Kirby). Eventually, Liam and Naoise grow up into hellion teenagers who deal drugs to fund their insane partying lifestyle.
A Fateful Encounter
4.5/5
When fate brings Belfast schoolteacher JJ into the orbit of self-confessed ‘low life scum’ Naoise & Liam Og, the needle drops on a hip hop act like no other. Rapping in their native Irish language, Kneecap fast become the unlikely figureheads of a Civil Rights movement to save their mother tongue. But the trio must first overcome police, paramilitaries & politicians trying to silence their defiant sound – whilst their anarchic approach to life often makes them their own worst enemies. In this fiercely original sex, drugs and hip hop biopic Kneecap play themselves, laying down a global rallying cry for the defense of native cultures.
Release Date August 2, 2024
Director Rich Peppiatt
Cast Mo Chara , Móglaí Bap , DJ Próvaí , Josie Walker , Simone Kirby , Michael Fassbender
Runtime 1h 45m
Writers Rich Peppiatt
Studio(s) BFI , Fine Point Films , Mother Tongues Films , TG4 , Northern Ireland Screen
Distributor(s) Sony Pictures Classics
Pros
- Band members play themselves and bring realism and charm to this biopic.
- Energetic and incredibly fresh direction make Kneecap mesmerizing.
- An inspiring and honest story of culture and independence.
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The contemporary plot begins with Naoise being pummeled and Liam arrested by the “peelers” (slang for the RUC) at a rave. Liam refuses to speak English while in custody. Detective Ellis has to get an Irish translator to proceed with the interrogation. Caitlin, a community organizer and proponent of the Irish language act, is too hungover from a rally the night before. She asks her music teacher boyfriend, JJ Ó Dochartaigh, soon to be known as “DJ Próvaí,” to go in her place. He doesn’t want to be there, but is impressed by Liam’s toughness. JJ’s intrigue grows exponentially when Ellis hands him the only piece of evidence — a yellow notebook filled with Liam’s Irish rap lyrics.
Kneecap’s message about preserving Irish culture in the face of formidable odds rings courageously throughout. The trio discover meaning while forging a new path together. Liam and Naoise’s chance encounter with JJ was kismet personified, but he doesn’t leap at the chance to join the scrappy youth. His teaching career, standing in the community, and relationship with Caitlin couldn’t easily be dismissed by a desire to pursue artistic goals. JJ literally had everything to lose. But some things are worth fighting for despite the fallout. You’ll get goosebumps when JJ first dons his trademark balaclava ski mask of the Irish flag and transforms into DJ Próvaí.
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They’re No Saints
Kneecap’s unrepentant affinity for narcotics is humorously addressed while also highlighting the very real dangers of such flippant behavior. The group’s name refers to what happens when bad apples run afoul of local enforcers. You end up with a limp or in a grave from certain prohibited activities. Drug dealers were dealt with harshly by the IRA and their sympathizers.
This all puts Naoise on a collision course with his father, who’s keenly aware of Kneecap’s activities. They tossed ecstasy and baggies of cocaine like confetti at their fans. The film doesn’t celebrate or condemn their embrace of the illegal. They’re truthfully depicted, warts and all. You don’t have to approve of Kneecap’s methods to support Irish cultural freedom.
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Kneecap Emerges
Filmmaker Rich Peppiatt, an acclaimed former journalist who helped blow the whistle on British tabloid practices, astounds in his feature debut. Kneecap utilizes a frenetic visual style of split screen editing and animation, including puppetry in a bonkers scene of drug-induced hallucinations. The primary characters speak Irish throughout in heavy accents, and the film has a truly unique way of presenting subtitles. The boisterous soundtrack of Kneecap’s music and anti-establishment pop culture anthems fuel a Trainspotting-esque delivery of non-stop action. There’s never a dull moment as the rappers are constantly engaged. Peppiatt brilliantly captures the journey from anarchy to purpose without the film looking like an extended music video.
Sectarian violence plagued Northern Ireland for decades. The Troubles and the horrific Bloody Sunday stain history with the tragic loss of innocents. The Good Friday Agreement brought peace but didn’t quell Irish pride in a language spoken for thousands of years. Rap music gave light and expression to the Black experience in America. It similarly inspired Kneecap to fight for fundamental change using words, not weapons. Their story is mesmerizing and energetically told in one of the year’s best films.
Kneecap is a production of BFI, Fine Point Films, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, and Mother Tongues Films, et al. It will be released theatrically on August 2nd from Sony Pictures Classics.
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