‘Kneecap’, the new biopic film by Rich Peppiat is at once a brilliant and thought- provoking piece on identity, partisanship, and change, as well as being a gripping, and at times, hilarious roller coaster ride powered by adrenaline, action, drama.
Set in Dublin, it explores complex and interwoven issues around suppression of culture and the power of preserving a people’s native tongue. The real skill of Peppiat is in doing this through the semi-biographical story of an emerging hip-hop group ‘Kneecap’ that rap in their native Irish tongue.
In the movie a music teacher ‘JJ’ , played by Michael Fassbender, through sheer happenstance falls in with two troubled drug-dealing youths, and the group is formed. This is no ‘School of Rock’ rehash, though. The youth counterculture action, including sex, drugs, and well, rap music, isn’t framed as being educational, and some of the (MA15+) scenes and language used might be confronting for some.
However, let me get this straight – this movie is riotously fun, exciting, and funny. The gig scenes, action, and cinematography make this best seen in the cinema, and the same goes for experiencing the absolutely banging soundtrack.
Stylistically reminiscent of 1999’s ‘Human Traffic’, this film is fast-paced, and instilled with deep meaning while still being wildly entertaining. Writer and director Rich Peppiat is receiving well-deserved high praise for this work; we can anticipate great things in the future. I’m quite sure that the lads from ‘Kneecap’ whom play themselves in the movie, are going to gain new fans, too (I’m sold!).
I loved this film, and it is sure to become an instant cult-classic.
Kneecap opens at Luna Palace Cinemas in Leederville on Thursday 29th August.