‘Kneecap’ is a Wild and Important Film

Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara, and DJ Próvai in Kneecap | Credit: Sony Pictures Classics

An unlikely group comes together and popularizes rap in their native language, Irish.

Kneecap is a wild film with a clear and powerful voice. From the very beginning, the narration is witty and sarcastic, unafraid to get in your face about the way things are. There’s a matter-of-factness about the way this story is told that helps to increase the entertainment factor and humor. It also incorporates some bleak Irish humor that is right up my personal alley.

This film is also so creative. When people speak Irish, English subtitles appear on the screen. But these subtitles are hand-written, like out of the journals that these rappers are drawing their lines from. These include underlinings and often crude doodles to reinforce the point. It’s clear who these characters are, and their brazenness is part of their charm.

Kneecap also moves at a breakneck pace, speeding from scene to scene, showing the chaotic nature of how these characters live their lives. Somehow, the events that unfold become more ridiculous as things go along. While there are moments to take a breath between all of these scenes, even those are helping to further the plot and give us additional peeks into the lives of these incredibly colorful characters.

Móglaí Bap and Michael Fassbender in Kneecap | Credit: Sony Pictures Classics

What I find most fascinating about Kneecap is the emphasis on language and its importance in our lives. Throughout the film, Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap draw on their Irish heritage and take immense pride in their language. They were taught it from a young age and are sure to use it whenever they can, often as a way to resist authority figures who want them to only speak English.

JJ Ó Dochartaigh and his girlfriend, Caitlin (Fionnuala Flaherty), both start out by trying to advocate for the usage of Irish through education and activism, respectively. Over time, as JJ gets more involved with Kneecap and becomes DJ Próvai, his methods for changing the system also shift.

I love that all of these methods—culture, education, and advocacy—are made clear in the film. And this really wild movie focuses so much on the importance of language as part of a culture and community. The language that we use helps shape our experience and how we see the world.

Languages do go extinct, and that is a heartbreaking reality. Kneecap reminds us of the importance of these indigenous languages. They help people connect with their community and their roots. It’s retaining a piece of history and culture, carrying it forward to future generations.

Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvai in Kneecap | Credit: Sony Pictures Classics

Kneecap is a really wild ride. It’s bold and brash, and I really enjoyed it. More than just the exciting story and creative visuals, I loved the themes behind it. As the assault on indigenous languages grows stronger, films like this will become even more important.