Kneecap (film)

Kneecap is a 2024 comedy drama film describing the rise of Belfast-based hip-hop trio, Kneecap. The film stars the band members as themselves, as well as Michael Fassbender. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2024, the first film in the Irish language to do so.

Synopsis
Set in the Gaeltacht Quarter of West Belfast in 2019, the film depicts how Kneecap came to be formed and created their sound.

Cast

 * Liam Óg "Mo Chara" Ó hAnnaidh as himself
 * Naoise "Móglaí Bap" Ó Cairealláin as himself
 * JJ "DJ Próvaí" Ó Dochartaigh as himself
 * Josie Walker as Detective Ellis
 * Fionnula Flaherty as Caitlin
 * Jessica Reynolds as Georgia
 * Adam Best as Doyle
 * Simone Kirby as Dolores Ó Cairealláin
 * Michael Fassbender as Arlo Ó Cairealláin

Production
Jack Tarling and Trevor Birney produce for Mother Tongues and Fine Point Films, respectively. Rich Peppiatt wrote and directed the film despite not being an Irish-speaker himself. For Peppiatt, it marks his feature film directing debut having previously directed the music video for the band's single, "Guilty Conscience".

Casting
The band themselves are cast in the film in their acting debuts. They feature alongside experienced Irish actors such as Michael Fassbender, Josie Walker and Simone Kirby.

Filming
Principal photography took place on location in Belfast in May 2023.

Release
The film premiered in the Next section at the Sundance Film Festival, the first Irish-language film to do so, on January 18, 2024. Prior to, Sony Pictures Classics acquired distribution rights for North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Turkey and Middle East to the film. Sony Pictures Classics later scheduled the film for a theatrical release in the United States on August 2, 2024. The film is also scheduled to be the opening film at Sundance's London edition on June 6, 2024 and is scheduled to be released in the United Kingdom and Ireland in August 2024.