Kneecap

I went to the Cineworld Secret Screening last night which turned out to be "Kneecap". I'd seen the trailer, so was aware of the film, though I was wholly unaware that Kneecap are a real band, nor that the actors in it were playing themselves.

As one of a small number of Irish speakers in Belfast, JJ O Dochartaigh is called into a police meeting as an interpreter, where he meets Liam Og O Hannaidh who is pretending that he only speaks Irish to annoy Detective Ellis (Josie Walker). JJ sees a book of hip-hop lyrics, written in Irish, by Liam and his friend Naoise O Cairaellain. A music teacher, and in a relationship with an advocate for the Irish language, JJ sees the potential for using music to increase awareness. When the trio start to perform, they quickly gain a following, but the content of their lyrics makes them enemies in both the police, and with a dissident republican organisation that are against the promotion of drug use in the city.

"Kneecap" is quite the film to show to a group that aren't expecting it. Approximately a quarter of the audience in my screening left within the first 25 minutes, driven away by the explicit drug use, swearing and sex scenes as well as - let's face it - the most egregious problem for some people, subtitles. They missed a film I quite enjoyed (largely because of all those reasons I've just mentioned) but also because, despite the idea of people playing themselves in films being fraught with disaster (15:17 to Paris) the boys here actually do really well. So much so I couldn't believe that they were the actual guys and not full-time actors. There are professional actors in the other roles though, none more high profile than Michael Fassbender, who plays Naoise's father.

It's a genuinely funny film, that treats its subject matter with a light touch and tells a complete story. Comfortably the best of the musical biopics I've seen this year.

This is an excellent and challenging film, but I expect may be challenging for some of those from the various Irish and Northern Irish communities - which I'm not. I should also add it's not for people who find the idea of prolific drug use/references and sting language offensive - if you're one of those, don't see this.

Is absolutely does help to have a little familiarity with the history of the troubles etc, but this film can also be viewed without that - it's a banging story about struggle and music, and almost feels like a really edgy, far more political reimagining of the Commitments - for the modern audience.

The music is excellent, whether you understand Irish or not (I don't). One of the reasons I went is because I'd heard a couple of tracks form Kneecap and really liked them - I'm in my mid 60's, so this isn't just for those under 20.

The story, acting, direction and script all come together in a really enjoyable and, ultimately, uplifting.

Greetings again from the darkness. The Troubles of Northern Ireland were a 30-year political and social conflict that officially ended in 1998 with the Good Friday Agreement. Even today, the pain and memories and divisions remain. Writer-director Rich Peppiatt's film is set in 2019 (West Belfast) and is billed as a "mostly true story" involving controversial hip-hop group Kneecap and the push to make Irish an official language. Early on we are told, "A country without a language is only half a country." A circumstantial fluke brings music teacher JJ (DJ Provai) into the world of self-described "low life scum", Naoise ( Moglai Bap) and Liam Og (Mo Chara) - drug dealers and wannabe musicians. Performing their raps in native Irish tongue, the trio inexplicably and by happenstance, becomes the unlikely face and voice of the language movement. The resistance they face is stout and sometimes dangerous ... yet possibly they remain their own biggest hurdle to success.

Another plot line occasionally rears its head - Naoise's father Arlo (Michael Fassbender) has been on the run since Naoise's childhood and is now a paramilitary figure pursued by the police, despite family efforts to convince he's dead. Popping up now and again, Arlo offers guidance and words of advice to the boys who face oppression and opposition from the conservative and proper forces fighting their rebellious nature and pursuit of radical change.

Adding to the interest level here is that all three members of Kneecap play themselves. With no acting experience, they are convincing enough in telling (mostly) their own story in comedy-drama style. They are also experts at flowing f-words. We have witnessed Irish chaos many times, yet director Peppiatt and the trio generate an energetic cheekiness that plays well in establishing cultural and class differences. This may not be the first story of drug dealers becoming lyricists, performers, and social influencers, but we certainly appreciate the moments of authenticity proving yet again the power and influence of music (even if the bouncing subtitles are a step beyond challenging). The 2022 Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act affirmed Irish as an official language, and Kneecap shows punk rebellion will carry on. Oh, and ask your friends, "What's the craic?"

In theaters August 2, 2024.

Saw this on a secret screening, initial synopsis had me thinking, "oh I will be out the door in the first 15 minutes", but no, strong performances from all involved makes this an often funny, somewhat dramatic and rollercoaster of a movie following the unlikely events that end up forming the Irish Hip-Hop trio Kneecap.

It is easy to caveat this with "it will not be for everyone", which it will not be, many will not like the drug use, or the language, its context and suitable for the setting, and Kneecap uses these in balance to provide laughs along the way, as well as what has to be one of the funniest sex scenes in a long while.

So, two best mates in Belfast have regular run-ins with the police. One is jailed overnight for claiming to speak only Irish (Gaelic) and requiring a translator to communicate with the police. These mates are low-level drug dealers who enthusiastically endorse their products based on personal experience. Eventually, they bring on a DJ and decide to form a hip hop trio called Kneecap (a reference to the IRA's habit of shooting drug dealers in the knees as punishment). Oh yeah, they decide that all their lyrics will be in Irish, hardly a shrewd business decision since only 1% of the population of Ireland (about 30,000 people) are regular Irish speakers.

From the outset, "Kneecap" offers a sustained level of manic energy, excitement and enthusiasm that courses through its crazy, chaotic, anarchic story in a way that's irresistibly intoxicating. Oh yeah, while liberties are taken - repeatedly, profanely - this is essentially a true story. The three key roles are played by the three members of the band, none of whom has any prior acting experience. Michael Fassbender ("Steve Jobs") also tags along.

What carries this project is the band's refreshing willingness to be brash, bold and bawdy, while displaying complete disregard for how their ideas, their lyrics or their story land with the audience. They rail about British colonialism (primary schools using the Irish language were not allowed until 1972; the first Irish secondary school opened in 1991). They advocate for Irish becoming an official language in Northern Ireland (finally happened in 2022). They unflinchingly offer graphic examples of police thuggery. During a press junket, one band member was asked whether he had any reservations about the level of drug use portrayed throughout the film. His response: "No drugs were harmed in the making of this movie." In short, this film is a hot mess offered with uncompromising directness.

Full disclosure, some story elements are fictionalized. For example, in the film the Radical Republicans Against Drugs threaten the boys because they are, you know, drug dealers. In real life, Republic Action Against Drugs was founded in 2008 and eventually merged with the Real Irish Republic Army in 2012.

As you've already figured, this is hardly a film for those with delicate sensibilities. For the hardy souls willing to submit to this onslaught of profanity, profundity and political incorrectness, it's exhilarating. Kudos to Rich Peppiatt, the British writer/director who helms this Irish manifesto without a hint of irony. Here's hoping Naoise Ó Cairealláin (aka Móglaí Bap), Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh (aka Mo Chara) and JJ Ó Dochartaigh (aka DJ Próvai) become household names - seriously.

"Kneecap" is certain to be the Irish entry for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars. Don't be surprised if it's a Best Picture Nominee.