Kneecap

Straight outta Belfast are the Irish-language hip-hop trio ‘Kneecap’ whose radical republican tracks came out before the Irish language was even officially recognised in Northern Ireland (not until 2022). In this biopic, the trio play themselves, two unruly teens always running away from either gangs or cops, and a shy music teacher whose most violent action might be aggressively playing the xylophone. Whilst the trio seem an unlikely combination, it quickly becomes clear that the young rappers need a producer and the tired music teacher needs an outlet for his rage and thus ‘Kneecap’ are born, with Michael Fassbender’s presumed-dead father character’s words ringing in their eyes, “every word of Irish spoken is a bullet fired for Irish freedom.” Kneecap is an explosive ball of energy, humour, and brilliant tunes, and it will make you howl with laughter whilst warming your heart at the success of these inspirational underdogs. Directed by a Warwick alumni, Kneecap has an authentic and independent spirit, turning even the most stubborn of us into Irish-language hip-hop fans for life.

Daniel Kallin