Kneecap
Ireland/U.K. 2024

Opening 23 Jan 2025

Directed by: Rich Peppiatt
Writing credits: Rich Peppiatt, Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara, DJ Próvai
Principal actors: Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara, DJ Próvai, Josie Walker, Fionnuala Flaherty

Semi-autobiographical, English director Rich Peppiatt’s eponymous film debut takes place in Northern Ireland, which is synonymous with “the Troubles.” Beginning while Margaret Thatcher is the Tory Prime Minister and Irish republican politician Gerry Adams (cameo) is shown on telly, now they are fighting to keep their Irish Gaelic language. British living in the resource-rich north with its factories, wharfs, etc. insist the land is theirs, hence, the Irish can only speak the Queen’s English (natch, so they can understand it).

Against this background Naoise Ó Cairealláin, and Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh grow up in Gaeltacht Quarter, West Belfast. Neighbors and best pals, Naoise and Liam learn Irish from Naoise’s dad Arlo (Michael Fassbender); his exit leaves Naoise and mom Dolores (Simone Kirby) fending for themselves. On the eve of an important Irish language event, Naoise spray-paints Cearta (“rights” in Irish) on public property, yet Liam lands in jail. Provocatively speaking Irish forces Detective Ellis’s (Josie Walker) need for a translator and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, Irish language teacher, arrives. Leaving, JJ takes Liam’s small notebook. Finding lyrics—in Irish—JJ contacts them. After a night of drugs and hip hop, one thing leads to another and the hip hop trio Kneecap is created: Naoise aka Móglaí Bap, Liam aka Mo Chara, and JJ aka DJ Próvaí. The irony? “Kneecapping” is a favored form of Irish Republican paramilitary punishment. As their notoriety and popularity increase—JJ wears a baclava—JJ’s girlfriend is (Fionnuala Flaherty) curious, while Liam starts seeing Georgia (Jessica Reynolds), the Ulster Unionist detective’s niece. The Irish, RRAD (Radical Republicans Against Drugs) and Police Service of Northern Ireland’s skirmishes result in frayed nerves, misunderstandings, and more. Instead of abreacting, Kneecap responds, releasing its first single “C.E.A.R.T.A.” in 2017, and in 2018 its first album, 3CAG. Kneecap’s politically defiant, Irish republicanism, reunification/freedom themed music grows their following, as they evolve to softer, kinder themed songs, e.g., “Mam” in 2021.

The rap trio contributed to Peppiatt’s screenplay, and this is their acting début accompanied by an outstanding ensemble. Albeit a non-Irish speaker, Peppiatt directed the band’s “Guilty Conscience” music video. Keeping pace with their antics is Ryan Kernaghan’s cinematography (shot on location), Julian Ulrichs and Chris Gill’s editing and Michael "Mikey J" Asante’s score.

For background: England’s colonization mires Ireland’s history. Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara, and DJ Próvai are part of the “ceasefire generation,” i.e., following the Northern Ireland peace process and Good Friday accord. After their 2024 Fine Art album release, Bap’s comment, “Where we come from in the North of Ireland, we have this weird, dysfunctional, symbiotic relationship with politicians,” seems synonymous with the current global societal climate. They simply point out the elephant in the room in their own hard-won words. Kneecap is Ireland’s official submission for the 97th annual Academy Awards 2025. (Marinell Haegelin)