Ireland's official submission for Best International Film. Sex, Drugs & Rap - and Revolution. Rich Peppiatt's cheeky movie is based on the true story of a trio of Northern Irish rappers collectively known as Kneecap. They distinguish themselves from other UK musicians by singing their lyrics in Irish. Unwittingly at first, they become a rebellious symbol in their land in West Belfast in the "post-war" period after The Troubles.
The movie stars the actual members of the group as themselves- Naoise Ó Cairealláin, Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh and JJ Ó Dochartaigh. Peppiatt's screenplay (with input from the band) is pretty loose story-wise by design. The Director uses mixed media and plays with the film form in enjoyable ways. The Kneecap members are natural performers which brings a scruffy authenticity while also being impudent and refreshingly self-mocking. There are professionals in the cast including Josie Ellis, Jessica Reynolds (as Liam's spiky British girlfriend) and a very good Michael Fassbender as Naoise's dad who was an Irish revolutionary.
What gives the movie its spark is that this all took place during a period when there was a movement to force the British government to recognize Irish as an official language of Northern Ireland. Kneecap's rude and crude lyrics took on a whole new meaning and importance. Merely singing those songs in public became an act of civil disobedience. The main story-line is strong enough that some of the more obvious "scripted" movie moments stick out as being unnecessary. Fortunately, the anarchic energy makes up for those missteps. KNEECAP is an out and out banger.
