Belfast, 2019. Set to the backdrop of a legal campaign to have the Irish language recognised in Northern Ireland an Irish singing hip hop group find themselves helping and hindering the movement. 

Kneecap is a raucous and hilarious film that blends reality and fiction as the members of Kneecap play themselves in a fictional story of their rise to fame. 

Belfast teacher JJ finds himself called into the local police station one night to act as an Irish translator for a young man who has been arrested. That young man is Liam Og, who alongside his best friend Naoise dabble with rap lyrics alongside dealing drugs and just having a damn good time. JJ, a music teacher and aspiring musician takes it as an opportunity to live his dreams, although as he does not want to be seen by students or colleagues he dons a balaclava with the Irish flag on it for gigs. 

Kneecap is a hard film to pigeon hole. Its energy and fast paced story make it feel like something that will speak to a young generation and become a cult hit. Think Trainspotting, Snatch or even something like Human Traffic. But its underlining story is brimming with political information that speaks to the division felt within Ireland and their need to assert their own identity. But it never lets that get in the way of having a good time. 

The fact that the stars of the film are playing themselves is an astounding fact that slowly dawned on me as I was watching. Ratified when real footage of the groups gigs started to play during the credits. They are so natural in front of the camera playing for both laughs and drama that it seems impossible that they are not acting veterans. JJ or DJ Provai is particularly brilliant as the teacher who is throwing away his old fashioned normal life for the extraordinary. 

Alongside the real life kneecap there are a number of good supporting characters that help underline different facets of the story. Michael Fassbender plays Naoise’s father who happens to be an IRA member on the run from the police after faking his death over a decade ago. Fionnuala Flaherty is JJ’s girlfriend and an integral part of the campaign to have the Irish language recognised. And Jessica Reynolds plays a Protestant girl whom Liam starts to date. All of these relationships going further to flesh out the deeper plot lines. 

But who am I kidding, it’s the infectious music, hedonistic behaviour and crazy stunts the trio get up to that keep you hooked to the story. 

Kneecap is a brilliant blend of reality and fiction that makes you connect with the importance of the story whilst having a barrel of fun.