Like most colonized nations, Ireland has struggled to maintain a culture that is their own. For the Northern Irish, the key to their culture is their language. This issue is the primary goal of Kneecap–to raise global awareness of the challenge imposed on the Irish people by the British government. The film depicts a fictionalized biopic of the rap trio Kneecap, a group whose recordings and live performances fought for the rights of Irish people to maintain a culture of their own despite the oppression of their British colonizers. The film’s message is not just about the struggle, but also about the resilience and determination of the Irish people.
The movie follows the courageous journey of drug dealers Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap, who take immense pride in their language and their friend and colleague DJ Próvaí, who gives them their musical voice. As the trio bravely attempts to get their messages out to the masses, they face opposition from law enforcement and Republican Irish activists, who believe their approach is wrong for the overall benefit of Northern Ireland.
Written and directed by Rich Peppiatt, Kneecap offers a mixture of unfiltered comedy and Irish politics guaranteed to rivet audiences and triumphantly celebrate this brash musical trio. Going into this movie, I had yet to learn that it is a biopic. I also had yet to realize that the actual members of the Kneecap trio portray themselves. After discovering this information after my screening, I was impressed.
All three members of Kneecap deliver performances that are not just solid, but also admirable. Their dedication to their roles is evident in every scene. Most of the other actors in the movie are not that recognizable, or at least they were not to me. The only exception is actor Michael Fassbender, who portrays Móglaí Bap’s father, a fugitive of Belfast who has disappeared after being held responsible for his more violent activities against British rule.
Regardless of one’s knowledge of Northern Ireland’s struggles, there is still a certain amount of predictability here. Nevertheless, Rich Peppiatt and the Kneecap trio manage to deliver an infectiously entertaining film that is an absolute triumph when it comes to portraying the real issues near and dear to Irish culture. Whether one decides to see this film in the theater or at home, I highly recommend it.