Greetings again from the darkness. The Troubles of Northern Ireland were a 30-year political and social conflict that officially ended in 1998 with the Good Friday Agreement. Even today, the pain and memories and divisions remain. Writer-director Rich Peppiatt's film is set in 2019 (West Belfast) and is billed as a "mostly true story" involving controversial hip-hop group Kneecap and the push to make Irish an official language. Early on we are told, "A country without a language is only half a country."
A circumstantial fluke brings music teacher JJ (DJ Provai) into the world of self-described "low life scum", Naoise ( Moglai Bap) and Liam Og (Mo Chara) - drug dealers and wannabe musicians. Performing their raps in native Irish tongue, the trio inexplicably and by happenstance, becomes the unlikely face and voice of the language movement. The resistance they face is stout and sometimes dangerous ... yet possibly they remain their own biggest hurdle to success.
Another plot line occasionally rears its head - Naoise's father Arlo (Michael Fassbender) has been on the run since Naoise's childhood and is now a paramilitary figure pursued by the police, despite family efforts to convince he's dead. Popping up now and again, Arlo offers guidance and words of advice to the boys who face oppression and opposition from the conservative and proper forces fighting their rebellious nature and pursuit of radical change.
Adding to the interest level here is that all three members of Kneecap play themselves. With no acting experience, they are convincing enough in telling (mostly) their own story in comedy-drama style. They are also experts at flowing f-words. We have witnessed Irish chaos many times, yet director Peppiatt and the trio generate an energetic cheekiness that plays well in establishing cultural and class differences. This may not be the first story of drug dealers becoming lyricists, performers, and social influencers, but we certainly appreciate the moments of authenticity proving yet again the power and influence of music (even if the bouncing subtitles are a step beyond challenging). The 2022 Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act affirmed Irish as an official language, and Kneecap shows punk rebellion will carry on. Oh, and ask your friends, "What's the craic?"
In theaters August 2, 2024.
