40/13
When fate brings Belfast teacher JJ into the orbit of self-confessed “low life scum”; Naoise and Liam Og, the needle droppers, take to hip-hop like no other. Rapping in their native Irish, they lead a movement to save their native language. Ireland’s official submission for the ‘Best International Feature Film’ category at the 97th Academy Awards in 2025. Arló Ó Cairealláin: Every Irish word spoken is a bullet for Irish freedom. Referenced in the Film Junk Podcast: Episode 961: Violent in Nature + TIFF 2024 (2024). Belfast performing at Orbital. I saw Kneecap today at one of the UK’s best multiplexes. Interestingly enough, the entire audience (all 10 of them) were in their sixties and seventies and there was total commitment and no one left before the lights came up. I spoke to a group of about 5 people and they all agreed on how strong the film was. I lived and travelled in NI and Ireland (as it was) in the early 80s so I really appreciated the quality of the script. The acting was exceptional and the dark humour was right up my alley. I’m not a huge hip hop fan and certainly don’t need to rate the film as such, but I’ve always held Eminem and Die Antwoord in very high regard and that’s clear. For me the latter definitely influenced the sound and style of Kneecap as an outfit. I’ll get it on Blu-ray in due course but I think I’ll be the only one in the household who ‘gets it’. Hopefully my kids will at least get the cultural references and enjoy the kick-ass soundtrack. If you get the chance, try it, because this film illustrates how well a work of art can be created with a very limited budget and credible actors. Based on a true story.