The film "Kneecap" starts with a class of Belfast schoolchildren reluctantly singing a conventional Irish tune in the Irish language, only to subtly shift their attention towards the unexpected hip hop beats of the local rap group Kneecap. Indeed, Kneecap's bold choice of expressing lyrics in Irish language is atypical.
The Irish language, once nearly extinct, is now often viewed politically due to attempts to legally equate it with English. In light of this scenario, the creation of Kneecap in 2018 stirred considerable debate, especially because of their controversial lyrics and raucous performances.
While their choice of expression was deemed indecorous by linguistic advocates, something astounding happened. Their music attracted a massive crowd of youngsters yelling their lyrics in Irish hence, unwittingly propagating the language. This contradiction questions if such likely unconventional methods should really be a matter of concern or in fact be embraced.
In the film, "Kneecap" provides an engaging insight into this complex issue, yet maintains a light-hearted approach. It effectively depicts the hip hop group's backstory starting from their initial small gigs in pubs to their rise as prominent figures in the music scene, all while dealing with personal hardships.
The film also does not hesitate to spotlight their unabashed acts which sparked controversy, such as the usage of politically inclined language, both within their songs and lives. The various incidents portrayed in the film not only provide a perspective of the realities of life in West Belfast, but also serve as a testament to the inherent potential of hip hop as a tool of protest.
The choice to have the Kneecap members play themselves in the film was a successful gamble. Whether you've known of the group or not, understanding their growth and commitment to the right to free speech is an unavoidable draw of this film. "Kneecap" serves to advocate for the idea that every form of expression deserves respect and consideration, regardless of its nature.
