Kneecap is the riotous story of three lads from West Belfast who transition from drug-dealing misfits to successful rappers, thanks to the guidance of their old school teacher. Together, they form the real-life Irish punk rap outfit, Kneecap.
The band consists of Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh), Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Caireallaín), and DJ/Producer DJ Provaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh). Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap deliver raw and witty lyrics in both Gaelic and English, while DJ Provaí provides the beats. Their mission is to keep the Irish language alive and push for its official recognition in Northern Ireland. The name ‘Kneecap’ refers to the notorious punishment associated with the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
In March earlier this year I saw Kneecap perform at The Great Escape Festival in Brighton, England. A trusted friend of mine put me onto them so I made it a point to see their show. They were fun but I’m not sure the crowd was giving them the same energy the outfit are used to. The same mate had also recommended the excellent BBC documentary from a few years ago, ‘Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland’ which provides the viewer with an in depth, non-biased journey through the Troubles. Offering perspectives from both sides gives the viewer a deeper grasp of the nuances of the conflict that affected everyone who lived in the Northern Ireland between the years of 1968 and 1998.
The reason I bring this up is that Kneecap are, quite literally, the sons of the Troubles.
Although born out of pain and trauma, the film highlights the positives that can emerge from such experiences. It celebrates pride in one’s language and country, both of which have endured numerous adversities over the years from outside influences. It also emphasizes the importance of overcoming difficult circumstances, making something of yourself, challenging the system, and finding your place in the world. The film is a comedy-drama that’s both meaningful and a lot of fun.
Rich Peppiatt directs his first narrative feature film, following his 2014 documentary One Rogue Reporter, which chronicled his journey of resigning from a UK tabloid over ethical concerns. In 2019, Peppiatt saw Kneecap perform live to a sold-out crowd in Belfast, where to his surprise, the audience knew all their lyrics. After a night out together a few months later, they decided to collaborate on a film charting the band’s evolution.
The film bursts with a vibrancy and energy reminiscent of Trainspotting or Human Traffic—all drugs, banging music, and frenetic energy. The soundtrack is spot-on, featuring several tracks by the band themselves, alongside iconic tunes like ‘Glue’ by Bicep, ‘Smack My Bitch Up’ by The Prodigy, and the classic dance anthem ‘Belfast’ by Orbital, which also appeared in Human Traffic. Their official debut album, Fine Art, is a brilliant punk rap odyssey, packed with great tunes and superb production, including a sample of 808 State’s classic 90s rave track, ‘Cubik.’
The band members play themselves and come across as confident, capable performers. The presence of experienced actors like Michael Fassbender, Simone Kirby, Josie Walker along with Fionnuala Flaherty and Jessica Reynolds in supporting roles add depth to the world the boys inhabit.
Fun fact: In the movie, the lads refer to the police as ‘Peelers,’ a nickname originally used for police constables in the first modern professional police force, the Metropolitan Police in London, formed by Sir Robert Peel in 1829.
Without a doubt, 2024 is the year of Kneecap. With their impressive rise, rapidly growing fan base, and the release of this film, they’re poised to ride the wave with boldness and swagger. Their music blends an anarchic punk aesthetic with 90s rave, hip-hop, house, garage, and a hefty dose of humour.
Kneecap is a breath of fresh air. Go see it.
Alltogether now: “I’m a H – Double O – D. Low life scum, that’s what they say about me.”
the movie musings 