Kneecap
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (out of 5 stars)
Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh and Naoise Ó Cairealláin play themselves wonderfully in this primarily true origin story of their Belfast rap group Kneecap. First introduced as drug-dealing best friends in the early 2010s, their partying lands one of them in a police station where, as a staunch patriot who speaks Irish as an act of cultural maintenance and in defiance of British imperialism, he needs an interpreter to communicate his Irish statements to his British accusers. When nerdy music and Irish language teacher JJ Ó Dochartaigh enters the scene, he encourages the lads to turn their notebook scribblings into highly charged polemical rap songs (and become their DJ). What follows is a rowdy and cheerfully rude showbiz story following the trio through drug-hazed nights and clear-eyed days, as their music begins to impact the broader community while inevitably angering authorities.
Whilst it’s hard to agree with everything that the rap group Kneecap supports (mainly the excessive drug use), it does present an incredibly compelling reason to advocate for Indigenous languages being recognised and taught in their native lands. As Naoise’s dad (Michael Fassbender) drills into him: “Every word of Irish spoken is like another bullet being fired in the struggle for Irish freedom.” The Irish language deserves equal recognition with English in Northern Ireland, and for it to only have happened in 2022 is surprisingly recent. Some of that history can likely be credited to the rap group Kneecap, whose use of the Irish language ignited a new passion for the tongue in a younger generation now free from The Troubles to more openly explore their Irish identity. It’s always a risky move having real-life figures portray themselves in biopics (see The 15:17 to Paris). Still, here it works so incredibly well as Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh), Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh) play themselves so earnestly and effectively. Add some memorable supporting players, and a scene-stealing Michael Fassbender. It all combines to tell a powerful underdog story of three rap artists who fought the system and championed a cause close to their hearts with passion and propulsive energy. The filmmakers carry that passion and energy into the editing, writing and direction to deliver a truly engaging and provocative pulse-pounding music biopic. This film is strongly recommended for anyone who is a fan of rap music or interested in the more recent political landscape of Northern Ireland.
Reel Dialogue: The importance of listening to marginalised voices
Whilst not every part of Kneecap’s political message is morally or ethically acceptable, they do represent a marginalised voice that has been repressed. The Irish Catholics of Northern Ireland bear heavy scars of long-term persecution at the hands of British Protestants, and vice versa, with many Irish Protestants having been targeted by IRA bombings during The Troubles.
Some may be able to see the discrepancy between two Christ-claiming groups engaging in conflict that is anything but Christlike. And the irony of three Catholic men engaging in debaucherous drug-fuelled behaviour. But this points to the heart of how what makes someone a Christian is their personal relationship with Jesus, not their cultural identity. And for many who find themselves to be cultural Christians, it can come from an imposition of religion rather than an adoption of a relationship.
Those who follow Jesus must be willing to become all things to all people to build a body that is united but not uniform. We must listen to marginalised voices, empower other cultures, and let them come to know Jesus for themselves, not be forced to. Through translation efforts, missional movements, and personal relationships, we can value what makes us different and unite in what brings beautiful fellowship.
Proverbs 13:41 - “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors Him.”
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