There was plenty of speculation for last night’s Cineworld Secret Screening 12 and having an idea of what the film would be I wasn’t too surprised that it turned out to be Kneecap. I had seen the trailer plenty of times at the cinema but wasn’t overly sure about seeing the film or if it would be for me, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
Kneecap is a Belfast-based Irish hip-hop group known for their unique blend of bilingual lyrics, combining both English and Irish (Gaeilge) in their music. The trio, consisting of members Móglaà Bap, Mo Chara, and DJ Próvan’Ã, emerged on the scene in 2017 and quickly gained attention for their politically charged lyrics, often addressing issues related to Northern Irish identity, social inequality, and the legacy of The Troubles. Their music is characterized by its raw energy, dark humour, and a distinctively local flavour, making them stand out in the global hip-hop landscape.
The group’s name, “Kneecap,” is a provocative reference to a brutal punishment tactic associated with paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, reflecting their willingness to confront and critique the region’s troubled past. Kneecap’s debut single, “C.E.A.R.T.A,” released in 2017, went viral and established them as a voice for a new generation of Irish youth. Their lyrics often blend social commentary with irreverent humour, and they are known for their unfiltered portrayal of life in Belfast, challenging stereotypes and sparking conversations about modern Irish identity.
Beyond their music, Kneecap has also become known for their controversial live performances, sometimes including political statements that provoke strong reactions. Despite—or perhaps because of—these controversies, they have garnered a dedicated fan base in Ireland and internationally. Kneecap continues to push boundaries in the Irish music scene, contributing to the growing recognition of Irish-language music in contemporary culture.
I have to admit that I hadn’t heard of the group before seeing the film last night, so I was going in a tad blind about the history of their music and what they have achieved. Kneecap starts with a voice-over of one of the members and soon heads to the modern day and moves from English as the spoken language to Irish with English subtitles.
Don’t let the subtitles put you off as it did for some in our screening as they left shortly after the subtitles popped up. Having the film almost entirely in Irish works brilliantly for the content material and you see that when Kneecap is recording one of their tracks in Irish and we see the English translation coming up in a brilliantly animated way, the Irish lyrics flow so much better than what they would have sounded like in English.
I was pleasantly surprised by so much in the film, the humour flows throughout the movie and it was great to see so many people in the screening laughing loudly and enjoying the comedy moments. The music, a style I never really got into, is brilliant. The beats flow through you with the cinema sound and there are some great touches that you pick up on including moments from the The Prodigy and Belfast popping up by Orbital.
The story is one that I found myself getting pulled into, this is not just about how the Móglaà Bap, Mo Chara, and DJ Próvan’Ã, emerged on the scene but it is also a touching story of the fight for the Irish language so that it wouldn’t be lost and could stay alive which I found powerful and interesting to watch.
The editing and cinematography are great in Kneecap, they add to the joy of watching the film on the big screen, from the forest of the opening sequence to the dark alleyway that is perfectly lit to give you a feeling of something sinister.
The cast which includes Móglaà Bap, Mo Chara, and DJ Próvan’à all playing themselves which I thought was a brilliant touch, loved Michael Fassbender in his role as well although we don’t get to see that much of him in the movie he still brings a superb performance across.
Writer/Director Rich Peppiatt has brought to the big screen a movie filled with humour and amazing tunes. Keencap is also a fascinating look into a moment in history when the anarchic Belfast trio became the unlikely figureheads of a civil rights movement to save and reinvigorate their mother tongue.
Kneecap is out on Digital now.
Humour and Banging Tunes Make Kneecap a Worthy Watch
Movie title: Kneecap (2024)
Movie description: When fate brings Belfast teacher JJ into the orbit of self-confessed 'low life scum' Naoise and Liam Og, the needle drops on a hip hop act like no other. Rapping in their native Irish, they lead a movement to save their mother tongue.
Date published: August 7, 2024
Country: UK
Duration: 1h 45m
Director(s): Rich Peppiatt
Actor(s): Móglaà Bap, Mo Chara, DJ Próvai
Genre: Dark Comedy, Comedy, Drama
Summary
Kneecap is one of those films that gives you so much more than you expect, a must-see film for 2024.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
