When fate brings Belfast schoolteacher 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 language, Kneecap fast become the unlikely figureheads of a civil rights movement to save their mother tongue. But the trio must first overcome police, paramilitaries and politicians trying to silence their defiant sound — whilst their anarchic approach to life often makes them their own worst enemies. In this fiercely original sex, drugs and hip-hop biopic Kneecap play themselves, laying down a global rallying cry for the defense of native cultures.
“Bursting with unruly energy that practically escapes the confines of the screen, KNEECAP is a riotous, drug-laced triumph in the name of freedom that bridges political substance and crowd-pleasing entertainment.” ––Carlos Aguilar, Variety “This is the right way for a pop group (let’s call them that) to move to the big screen. It’s not quite The Beatles’ HARD DAY’S NIGHT. But it bears comparison with The Monkees’ HEAD or Slade in FLAME.” ––Donald Clarke, Irish Times “The film’s infectious energy, use of in-camera effects, animation and all manner of jiggery pokery is as mesmerizing and giddy as it was when Danny Boyle used many of the same tricks for TRAINSPOTTING.” ––Leslie Felperin, Hollywood Reporter “The funniest thing to come out of Belfast since [fill in the blank if you can], KNEECAP is a riot which strains let’s-form-a-band film tropes (they’re the “shit Beatles” via THE COMMITMENTS), stirs in some Monty Python, sucks up THE YOUNG OFFENDERS in all its shell-suited glory and blows it out at audiences in a blast of two-fingered audacity.” ––Fionnuala Halligan, Screen International
