STORYLINE: Kneecap is set in West Belfast in 2019. Fate brings together disillusioned music teacher JJ with self-confessed ‘low life scum’ Naoise and Liam Og, changing the sound of Irish music forever,” the description continues. “Under the name Kneecap, their band begins moulding the language to fit their tough, anarchic, hedonistic lives. A language encumbered with forty words for stone now has one for stoned. But to get their voices heard the trio must overcome police, paramilitaries and politicians as the future of the Irish language erupts into the public arena – with them at the centre. Yet their worst enemies are often themselves, as family and relationship pressures threaten their dreams, and their illegal exploits draw condemnation from all sides. (IMDb)

      What do Belfast (2021), The Fablemans (2022), Nomadland (2020), and The Rider (2017) have in common?  Each non fiction film has their subject involved, whether in a featured role or as the director as the film.  In the 2024 release Kneecap, about the Irish rap group, the members of the band star as themselves.  

   Kneecap also is added to a list of films that is based on recent history.  The lost inc,uses Snowden (Edward Snowden), Together (Covid), and United 93 (9/11) to name a few. While there are many great events on history that would make interesting movies, Hollywood seems to, also, to be not as behind the curve as they once were. 

    That us what makes Kneecap a fasinating movie for me.  It is a true story that is here and now that I was unaware existed.  Like previously mentioned the movie is about Irish musicians.  This was a rarity because the magi fury of the films I see about musicians are about American or British artists.   Combining those two facts is what elevated it beyond a cookie cutter musical biopic.

   The film had a nizzaire secondary plot with Michael Fassbender. That added a unique touch to the film. In  sating Michael Fassbender it was that obligatory Hollywood actor amongst the performers playing themselves. I am sure producers wanted a marquee name in the ensemble and they got a talented one. 

    As we now are transition from the big summer blockbusters to the awards bait this Indy film was a nice fit for that transition. 

    Until next time I will see you at the movies!