Rich Peppiatt

Kneecap

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Director Rich Peppiatt Composer Michael 'Mikey J' Asante Cast Liam 'Mo Chara' Óg Ó Hannaidh, Naoise 'Móglaí Bap' Ó Cairealláin, JJ 'DJ Próvai' Ó Dochartaigh, Michael Fassbender

Film & Music Explore Zone New Voices

4.72/5

Edition 2024

Sound and Vision

105' - 2024 - Drama, Comedy - Format: DCP - Dialogue: English, Irish

Mythologizing the the story and ambition of West Belfast hip hop trio Kneecap known for their use of the Irish language, Rich Peppiatt's music biopic (not a documentary!) follows the three real-life band members Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí on the road to becoming the unlikely figureheads of a Civil Rights movement to save their mother tongue. A bloody funny origin story that serves as a rebellious anthem for the Irish language.

Rapping in your native tongue: you see and hear it all over the world, so why not in Northern Ireland too is the thinking of Kneecap, an anarchic hiphoptrio from Belfast. The band members all belief Northern Ireland is an integral part of Ireland and not - as it is now - the United Kingdom, and thus their songs are rebellious anthems against British imperialism. Kneecap - the film, not the band - is not a documentary, but a hilarious (and partly fictionalised) biopic. How the trio is formed, the ideals they fight for, how their music is created: we discover it all. In a witty way, because despite the seriousness of their lyrics, the trio possess tons of humour. The fact that they all play themselves adds an extra layer of irony. In a remarkable supporting role: the Irish-talking Michael Fassbender as a hunter IRA member and father of Móglaí Bap.