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Scrapping and rapping to linguistic defiance

The frenetically entertaining Kneecap hinges on the legal recognition of the Irish language in the North when the enactment of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022.

Speaking Irish is a political act for the two Belfast rappers at the centre of the story, who combine with a world-weary teacher to make their own protest music.

Starring Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, Kneecap is directed by Rich Peppiatt, with a cameo by Gerry Adams.

Journalist and Emmy-nominated documentary-maker Trevor Birney, who made No Stone Unturned, is listed as producer.

The story is a riotous recreation of the rappers’ own origins.

Hilarious one-liners

Cast in their acting debut, this is a story bursting with life, authenticity and hilarious one-liners: “What do you call a yoga-loving Provo … Bobby Sandals.”

The rappers refuse to speak English to the ‘Peelers’ and scrap and rap their way to lead a movement of linguistic defiance of authority.

Michael Fassbender is outstanding as Arlo Ó Cairealláin, Naoise’s elusive and militant republican father, who believes that every word of Irish spoken serves as well as a bullet against British imperialism.

In an absorbing sub-plot, Liam gets deeply involved with a Protestant girl.

In a biting scene, the rappers are challenged R-RAD (Radical Republicans Against Drugs), who it turns out, can accept the drug dealing once the proceeds go to their cause.

Cultural touchstone

Kneecap’s melding of 21^st-century morals and mores on to an ancient language sees Irish emerge as a badge of pride and a strengthened cultural touchstone for Belfast.

The message is that a language must live in real time, and not just in the past, to have the power to inspire.

Ultimately, Kneecap is as thoughtful as it’s hilarious, all packaged up with high-voltage energy.

Kneecap was selected for the Midnight programme at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

It opens in Irish cinemas on 8 August.