Jump to content

Kneecap (film)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kneecap
American theatrical release poster
Directed byRich Peppiatt
Screenplay byRich Peppiatt
Story by
Produced by
  • Jack Tarling
  • Trevor Birney
Starring
CinematographyRyan Kernaghan
Edited by
  • Julian Ulrichs
  • Chris Gill
Music byMichael "Mikey J" Asante
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • January 18, 2024 (2024-01-18) (Sundance)
  • August 8, 2024 (2024-08-08) (Ireland)
  • August 23, 2024 (2024-08-23) (United Kingdom)
Running time
105 minutes
CountriesIreland
United Kingdom
LanguagesIrish
English
Box office$470,977[2]

Kneecap is a 2024 comedy-drama film describing the rise of Belfast-based hip-hop trio, Kneecap. The film stars the band members as themselves, as well as Michael Fassbender. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2024, the first film in the Irish language to do so, and is scheduled to be released in Ireland on August 8 and in the United Kingdom on August 23, by Wildcard Distribution and Curzon Film respectively. It was selected as the Irish entry for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.[3]

Plot

[edit]

Liam Ó Hannaidh and Naoise Ó Cairealláin are part of the "ceasefire generation" living in the Gaeltacht Quarter of West Belfast.[4] As children, they learn to speak Irish from Naoise's father, Arlo. Arlo is a former republican paramilitary and fakes his death to evade British authorities. As a result, Naoise's mother Dolores becomes a recluse. Arlo lives in hiding and is disappointed in Naoise's hedonistic lifestyle and lack of initiative.

Liam is arrested at a drug-laden party but refuses to speak English to the police, insisting he can only speak Irish. JJ Ó Dochartaigh, a music teacher at an Irish-language school, arrives to serve as a translator during Liam's interrogation. JJ helps Liam avoid charges and hides a notebook of Liam's by taking it home himself.

JJ realizes that the notebook contains song lyrics in Irish and is impressed when he sets them to music. He approaches Liam and Naoise with the idea of starting an Irish-language hip-hop group. JJ convinces them that the music would be a way to bring the Irish language to a modern audience. Meanwhile, Liam begins a relationship with a Protestant girl named Georgia. Liam names the group "Kneecap", after the infamous punitive torture technique common in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

The trio create a track together during an all-night, drug-fueled recording session. They start to perform live, and their music begins to draw crowds. JJ fears the damage to his teaching career that might result from a public connection with Kneecap's vulgar and blatantly political music. He decides to perform as the anonymous "DJ Próvaí", wearing a balaclava to hide his face during gigs. JJ also conceals his involvement in the band from his girlfriend Caitlin, who is heavily involved in the campaign for an Irish Language Act that would officially recognise the Irish language in Northern Ireland.

As Kneecap grow in popularity, they face controversy for promoting "anti-social behaviour" and outspoken republicanism in their lyrics. Police detective Ellis warns JJ and Dolores that Kneecap's music is attracting dangerous attention. A dissident republican organisation calling themselves "Radical Republicans Against Drugs" (RRAD) threaten and attack Liam and Naoise. The garage containing Kneecap's recording studio and their recorded music is bombed, and the group believe RRAD is responsible.

With a tight deadline to produce a new track for RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, the group break into the school where JJ works and record a song overnight. The song is initially banned from the radio due to its lyrical content, but after Dolores organises a protest campaign, the song is allowed to play and becomes a hit. However, with his identity as DJ Próvaí now public, JJ is fired from his teaching job, and Caitlin breaks up with him. After some hesitation, JJ decides to remain a part of Kneecap.

At a major gig, Kneecap publicly humiliate RRAD by playing an audio recording of its members demanding that Liam and Naoise turn their drug money over to RRAD. An RRAD member in the crowd fires a gun, and in the ensuing chaos, Liam is arrested and Naoise is captured by RRAD. Detective Ellis, revealed to be Georgia's aunt, beats Liam and states that she arranged for the recording studio to be blown up. Meanwhile, RRAD prepare to kneecap Naoise when Arlo arrives to kneecap Naoise himself. Arlo instead shoots the three RRAD members and tells Naoise that he is proud of him and his music. Arlo allows himself to be arrested, while Liam is released from police custody.

The film ends by depicting the characters promoting and embracing the Irish language in various settings: Kneecap's music becomes ever more popular, Caitlin continues her political campaign for the Irish Language Act, Dolores is shown singing in a pub (having overcome her fear of leaving the house), and Georgia and other students of all ages and backgrounds participate in an Irish language class.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Jack Tarling and Trevor Birney produce for Mother Tongues and Fine Point Films, respectively. Rich Peppiatt wrote and directed the film despite not being an Irish-speaker himself.[5] For Peppiatt, it marks his feature film directing debut having previously directed the music video for the band's single, "Guilty Conscience".[6] The band themselves are cast in the film in their acting debuts. They feature alongside experienced Irish actors such as Michael Fassbender, Josie Walker and Simone Kirby.[7] Principal photography took place on location in Belfast in May 2023.[8][9]

Release

[edit]

The film premiered in the Next section at the Sundance Film Festival, the first Irish-language film to do so, on January 18, 2024.[10] Prior to, Sony Pictures Classics acquired distribution rights for North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Turkey and Middle East to the film.[11][1] Sony Pictures Classics later scheduled the film for a theatrical release in the United States on August 2, 2024.[12] The film is also scheduled to be the opening film at Sundance's London edition on June 6, 2024 and is scheduled to be released in the United Kingdom and Ireland in August 2024.[13]

Reception

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 96% of 75 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.9/10. The website's consensus reads: "A rebellious anthem for cultural preservation, Kneecap is as shaggy, rambunctious, and lovable as the eponymous hip hop group at its center."[14] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 77 out of 100, based on 25 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[15]

Carlos Aguilar of Variety gave the film a positive review, writing, "Bursting with unruly energy that practically escapes the confines of the screen, Kneecap is a riotous, drug-laced triumph in the name of freedom that bridges political substance and crowd-pleasing entertainment."[16]

Accolades

[edit]
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Sundance Film Festival 26 January 2024 NEXT Audience Award Kneecap Won [17]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Ritman, Alex (19 January 2024). "'Kneecap' Biopic Acquired by Sony Pictures Classics in First Major Sundance Sale". Variety. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Kneecap". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  3. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (2 August 2024). "Oscars: Ireland Submits 'Kneecap'For 2025 Best International Feature Film Category". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  4. ^ O'Broin, Cian (6 December 2023). "Belfast rap group Kneecap make history with new film becoming first Irish language movie at Sundance Festival". Independent.ie. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  5. ^ Clarke, Donald (6 December 2023). "Kneecap: Irish rap group's biopic to have world premiere at Sundance Film Festival 2024". The Irish Times. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  6. ^ Keslassy, Elsa; Yossman, KJ (27 October 2023). "Michael Fassbender to Star in Biopic About Irish Rap Group Kneecap (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  7. ^ Corscadden, Jane (6 December 2023). "Film based on Kneecap's origin story to premiere at Sundance Film Festival in US". Belfast Live. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  8. ^ Roy, David (6 December 2023). "Kneecap: Irish rap group's movie to premiere at Sundance Film Festival". Irish News. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  9. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (9 May 2023). "Irish Rap Band Kneecap to Be Portrayed in Rich Peppiatt's Raucous Comedy Slated for GREAT 8 Showcase, Boarded by Charades, Curzon (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Irish-language film Kneecap to have world premiere at Sundance Film Festival in US". RTE. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  11. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (19 January 2024). "Sony Pictures Classics Takes Michael Fassbender Irish Rap Group Movie 'Kneecap' At Sundance". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  12. ^ Grobar, Matt (12 April 2024). "Sony Pictures Classics Sets Summer Launch For Sundance Music Doc 'Kneecap'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  13. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (4 April 2024). "'Kneecap,' 'Dìdi' to Bookend Sundance London". Variety. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  14. ^ "Kneecap". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  15. ^ "Kneecap". Metacritic. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  16. ^ Aguilar, Carlos (26 January 2024). "'Kneecap' Review: Irish Rap Group Flips the Finger at British Imperialism in Wonderfully Offbeat Docudrama". Variety. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  17. ^ "The Complete List of 2024 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners". Sundance Film Festival. 26 January 2024.
[edit]
Retrieved from "http://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=Kneecap_(film)&oldid=1238884134"