Kneecap – A Burst of Irish Pride
Written by Zoe Crombie
A grand tradition of silliness has arisen throughout film and TV history: musical acts portraying comedic versions of themselves for the screen. Whether they’re comedy acts in the real world like Flight of the Conchords, or they’re playing it up for a joke like the iconic Alice Cooper Wayne’s World scene, there’s something about seeing talented musicians making fools out of themselves that’s always compelling. Perhaps it’s because comedy and music are two of the toughest talents to master – but that’s no issue for the stars of this week’s film.
Kneecap is another success in this lineage, with the Belfast hip hop trio of the same name portraying themselves and their rise in a way that embraces a less self-serious direction than the musical biopics we’ve become accustomed to in the last decade. The group prove themselves to have impressive acting chops alongside their musical talents, holding their own next to stars like Michael Fassbender, while the writing and direction of Rich Peppiatt, a longtime collaborator of the group, balances a tone of dry humour and righteous indignation.
A film as much about the preservation of Irish culture as it is the band itself – with Irish being one of the film’s languages and a key element of the trio’s artistry – Kneecap is a unique, energetic release that’s proven to be a crowd pleaser.
Kneecap runs from 14th to 19th September.
