Kneecap
“Get Your Britts Out!” -*Written on a butt*
A movie I knew nothing about, and that is my favorite way to consume cinema. A wild movie that is following these Irish Rap artists that is both absurd and heartfelt all in one. You have a bunch of rappers that are not actors and a director who has only done shorts and a documentary. When you hear that, you would expect a mediocre and tough movie to get through. What you actually get though is a movie with brilliantly unique cinematography and top level acting. There is a scene early on in the journey where they are performing and doing things I haven’t really seen in movies and is where I realized I am in for an absolute treat. Z, E and myself fully thought they were actors in some mainstream movies, and I also think they could definitely explore that if they want. With the amount of movies I have been seeing this summer, I can not give enough appreciation for something fresh like this. The story is strangely deep and I learned a lot about what is going on in Northern Ireland and other countries around the world. While educating and talking about an important topic, it's also full of laughs. At its core, this is a comedy and will absolutely tickle anyones funny bone that can handle crude humor.
With all that said, it isn’t a perfect movie though. The pacing can be very quick at points which really makes it hard to understand the full timeline of their growth. Also, the resolution to the entire movie was left in the air a bit, but it also is about their rap group which is very much alive. Besides that, I really have very little complaints. In the end, Kneecap is a wild ride that defies expectations. It’s a hilarious, heartfelt, and surprisingly thought provoking film that introduces us to a world of raw talent. If you’re tired of predictable plots and want something fresh, this is the movie for you.
-J
On a Saturday I checked what was playing at the Varsity Theater, a local Des Moines theater that plays many indies films, and on Sunday the ZEJ team was going to Kneecap, having heard nothing about it prior to seeing it was playing. This year’s entry for the country of Ireland for Best International Film, a fact that makes perfect sense, as it was not only a blast to watch, but is a champion of the Irish language and Irish culture. That champion, here, is the hip hop trio Kneecap, who plays themselves in what is a semi-biographical movie about the formation of their band. The fact that the band plays themselves is hard to fathom, as I was convinced that they were all professional actors, particularly DJ Provai. They all had a naturalness and genuineness to them that was really impressive. The band is a pioneer in Irish-language rap, which is showcased in the movie, and it’s honestly amazing. The trio showcases a few of their verses in this movie as they navigate their dramatic lives in Northern Ireland, and Irish or not, their music slaps. This is kind of a 8-Mile for Ireland, but with more stakes, as their goal of preserving their language and culture feels like a higher calling. Stylized, but not overly, its fast paced, funny, and treats you to the unexpected delight of Michael Fassbender, an amazing get for an Indie. Highly recommend.
-Z
