The Irish-language movie biopic currently holds a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score.
New Irish-language movie Kneecap has landed a major deal to screen around the world following its premiere at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews.
Described as a “raucous anti-establishment comedy”, the film is based on the origin story of the Irish-language rap trio of the same and stars the band’s Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí in their acting debuts, alongside Oscar-nominee Michael Fassbender, Simone Kirby (Hidden Assets) and Josie Walker (The Wonder).
“Set in West Belfast in 2019, it chronicles how fate brings the trio together and how they then go on to change the sound of Irish music forever,” the plot synopsis reads.
Kneecap at Sundance
The movie appears to have gone down a storm at Sundance after its premiere on Thursday (18 January), currently holding a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Hollywood Reporter has said:
“The film’s infectious energy, use of in-camera effects, animation and all manner of jiggery pokery is as mesmerizing and giddy as it was when Danny Boyle used many of the same tricks for Trainspotting.”
While TheWrap wrote:
“An audacious film that completely obliterates the expectations of the musical biopic genre.”
In the days since its debut screening, the Kneecap movie has been picked up by Sony Picture Classics, which has acquired all rights to the film for North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Turkey and the Middle East – meaning it should screen all over the world.
The music biopic’s co-producer Patrick O’Neill wrote in a Tweet: “Kneecap premieres at Sundance and sells to Sony Pictures. It is such an honour to be one of the producers and distributor for this film.”
“Everyone at WildCard Distribution is is so excited to bring this film home to Irish cinemas later this year.”
Kneecap arrive at Sundance Film Festival in PSNI Land Rover
On Thursday night, the hip-hop trio themselves arrived on the red carpet at the Sundance Film Festival in a fully kitted-out Northern Irish PSNI Land Rover, complete with the band’s name spray painted across the vehicle.
In a statement, the group said the stunt was “designed to provoke reaction and conversation around the Irish language and Irish politics as the world watches”.
This is as part of the comedy film details how the trio was formed in the wake of growing demand for Irish language protections in Northern Ireland.
Founded in 1978, the Sundance Film Festival is the world’s most prestigious festival dedicated to independent films.
Its 2024 edition is taking place from 18–28 January in Park City and Salt Lake City in Utah, with the Kneecap movie having screened on the opening night of the event.
The comedy will then be released in Irish cinemas later in 2024. It was included in JOE’s list of the most exciting movies coming out this year.
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