Belfast-based hip-hop trio Kneecap star as themselves in this movie.
They become the unlikely voice of a movement to keep indigenous language alive in Northern Ireland – and ultimately official recognition of the Irish Language Act in 2022 as a minority language.
Liam O’Hannaidth and Naoise O’Caireallain were childhood friends and drug dealers who learnt to speak the Irish language from Naoise’s father Arlo (Michael Fassbinder), a former republican paramilitary man who does not approve of his son’s lifestyle choice.
J. J. O’Dochartaigh is employed as a translator when Liam will only speak Irish after his arrest by the police. During the interview he sides with Liam and hides his notebook in which he has written song lyrics.
The three form a trio with the idea of bringing the Irish language to a contemporary audience rapping in a mix of English and Irish languages, producing their first album in 2018.
Kneecap was chosen as the name of the trio as a reference to the IRA’s habit of shooting drug dealers in the knees.
Writer/director Rich Peppiatt has made a film full of energy, sex, drugs and hip-hop. It has drug use strong language and police brutality – and is sometimes funny. It is mostly true, and the language and sub-titles are challenging.
The film opened to generally favourable reviews, has won several awards, and was nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.
105 minutes.
Now showing at Luna Leederville and Luna SX Fremantle.
Watch the trailer…
