FILMS FOR TODAY
Kneecap 18
UK | 2024 105 minutes
DIRECTED BY
Rich Peppiatt
STARRINGMichael Fassbender | Kneecap
8 July 2026 WEDNESDAY 19:30
AUDITORIUM
Tickets £10.25|£6.25 (under 26)
inclusive of fees
Kneecap is a real Northern Irish rap group comprising three members who portray themselves in this film. Their stage names are Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí. The film documents the origins of the group and their involvement in promoting Gaelic as an official language in Northern Ireland through rapping in Gaelic.
But it’s not a documentary. It’s a raucous, raunchy, and very funny piece of cinema with music that’s infectious, even if you’re no fan of rap. The style is imaginative and fast-paced – and for those for whom Gaelic is not their first language, there are subtitles. Much of what occurs in the film is true – especially the best bits!
After many years of campaigning, Gaelic was eventually recognised as an official language alongside English in Northern Ireland in December 2022. The Scots had to wait until St Andrew’s Day 2025!
Of course, Kneecap has continued to be controversial in real life, notably for their appearance at Glastonbury and their support of the Palestinian cause. Government and opposition figures deemed their appearance ‘inappropriate’, but it went ahead anyway and got a five-star review in the Guardian.
The Eclectic Cinema official advisory is: Come to this film with an open mind, and you’ll find plenty to enjoy.