Kneecap
If, like me, you hate spoilers, read no further. Just go and see this movie, which is one of the most affecting and enjoyable music films you’ll ever see.
Kneecap - in case you don’t know - are a real life West Belfast hip hop band who insist on singing in Irish Gaelic. In the context of where they live this is, of course, a deeply political act.
It also creates space for writer and director Rich Peppiatt to create a multi layered story which no doubt embroiders the ‘real life’ biography, but goes way beyond the traditional ‘rags to riches’ rock biopic.
The ever reliable Michael Fassbender plays an IRA man who, before going on the run, drums into his son and best mate the cultural significance of speaking Irish, but the performances of all three band members - playing themselves - is just as powerful as the ‘star turn’.
Kneecap’s music provides a ferocious, edgy soundtrack to a movie that encompasses colonial history, a couple of sharply contrasting love stories and some razor sharp dialogue.
It’s brilliant.
*****