Kneecap are "breaking new ground" by telling an Irish language story "that's never been told" through their electric self-titled biopic.
The comedy/musical drama, set in 2019, is a near real-life account of the lives of the three group members, Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí, growing up in West Belfast . The film chronicles how the band was formed , despite interference from outside forces who were determined to squash their attempt at making rap music in Irish.
The Irish language film, subtitled for non-Irish speakers as it is primarily as Gaeilge , gives viewers a taste of Kneecap's music, which is a central part of the plot and catapults the film to new heights with its blistering, punchy sound.
Depicting Belfast was "daunting," the band admits, but a collaborative effort with writer and director Rich Peppiatt means they have "done it justice".
Mo Chara, real name, Liam Óg said: "The idea of it not being authentic was concerning. Making a film set in the north that was watered down, cheesy, or clearly made for American audiences was the real worry for me."
DJ Próvaí, real name, JJ chimed in: "There's nothing worse than watching a film and someone says something that wouldn't be said in Belfast or the city it's set in, and the magic is completely sucked out of it.
"That's why it was important that we were sitting with Rich and going through the script in real time , honing it as we went along. We'd say, 'we wouldn't say that' or 'that's not right'. Simple things like saying 'ain't' instead of 'isn't'."
Móglaí Bap, real name, Naoise went on: "I think the Kneecap story and the story of Irish speakers in Belfast is a relatively new story and one that's never been told. It's new ground.
"The film starts with scenes of car bombs and explosions as a comment on how every film in Belfast starts like that, then it changes. We wanted to tell a new, modern version of the Irish language story and that's what we've done."
In the film, Kneecap become the unlikely figureheads of a Civil Rights movement to save their mother tongue. Schoolteacher JJ meets "low life scum" Naoise and Liam Óg and together, they create a hip hop act like no other .
Beat down - quite literally - for speaking their native language , the trio find themselves up against police, paramilitaries and politicians who try to muffle their sound, while they wreak havoc, often upon themselves.
Sex, drugs, and rock and roll (or hip hop and rap) informs much of the fiercely original and fast-placed flick, which lays down a global rallying cry for the defense of native cultures . The film not only speaks to those with a similar upbringing, viewpoint, and political stance to Kneecap, but - the group hopes - to all people of the north.
"I think it's easy for the media and politicians to put us and our songs in a box and say it's bad but the movie is a longer version of the Kneecap story, so it gives them an insight into our way of thinking and our philosophy," Naoise said.
JJ continued: "The film shows the difference in the generations because the older generation is still living with those traumas from the past and are still looking to catch the person who's done their family wrong.
"To the younger generation, it doesn't matter. They can laugh and joke about it and the seriousness is taken away . Nobody really cares about religion anymore, either. People are only Catholic and Protestant in name."
Naoise asserted: "That's an important aspect of it - the new generation can disagree on certain issues but still get along. It's vital for the north's future. We have to focus on what we have in common rather than what divides us ."
Kneecap also features an unexpected romance between Liam Óg and headstrong loyalist, Georgia. The idea was plucked from the theme of cross community relations in Kneecap's earlier tunes, and puts a completely new spin on the star-crossed lovers trope.
ALL THE LATEST ENTERTAINMENT, CULTURE AND CRAIC
"It's a new take on love across the barricades," JJ laughed. "There's a joke between them about the Brighton hotel bombing (when the IRA attempted to assassinate members of the British Government including Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher) which we got pushback for. A lot of people wanted that out but it's all about context.
For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here .
"In the scene, they want to be outlandish and extreme and outdo each other. It's coming from a character with a loyalist background , it's not us saying it. It can sound bad but in the context of the scene it makes sense."
For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .
The film hits US cinemas on August 2 and Irish cinemas on August 8. Kneecap’s debut studio album, ‘Fine Art’, is out now.
Most Popular
Comments / 0