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Refers to Movie Podcast: Episode 961: In a Violent Nature + TIFF 2024 (2024)
Line of Events
When fate brings Belfast teacher JJ into the orbit of a self-confessed 'low life bad' Naoise and Liam Og, hip-hop like no other. They rap in their native Irish and lead a movement to save their native language. The first Irish-language film to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Caitlin: A Land Without a Language Is Only Half a Nation..
Belfast presented by Orbital
Greetings from the dark once again. The Northern Ireland Troubles were a 30-year political and social conflict that officially ended in 1998 with the Good Friday Agreement. Even today, pain, memories and divisions remain. Written and directed by Rich Peppiatt, the film is set in 2019 (west Belfast) and is billed as a “mostly true story”.
The opposition they face is tough and sometimes dangerous
including the controversial hip-hop group Kneecap and the push to make Irish an official language. Soon we were told: “A country without a language is only half a country”. A chance encounter brings music teacher JJ (DJ Provai) into the world of self-described “low-life scum”, Naoise (Moglai Bap) and Liam Og (Mo Chara) – drug dealer and wannabe musician. The trio, who rap in their native Irish language, inexplicably and accidentally become the incredible face and voice of the language movement.
but they could still be their biggest obstacle to success
Another storyline occasionally rears its head – Naoise’s father Arlo (Michael Fassbender) has been on the run since Naoise’s childhood 39 and is now a paramilitary figure pursued by the police, despite the family’s best efforts to convince him he is dead. Appearing here and there, Arlo offers guidance and words of advice to the boys as they face oppression and opposition from conservative and right-wing forces that fight against their rebellious nature and quest for radical change. The fact that all three members of Kneecap play themselves also adds to the interestingness. With no acting experience, they are convincing enough in telling (mostly) their own story in a comic-drama style.
They are also experts in f-word fluency
We’ve seen plenty of Irish mayhem, but director Peppiatt and the trio create an energetic sass that lends itself to creating cultural and class divides. This may not be the first story of how drug dealers became songwriters, performers and social influencers, but we certainly appreciate the moments of authenticity that once again prove the power and influence of music (even if the bouncy subtitles are a step away from demanding). The Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 confirmed Irish as an official language, and Kneecap shows that the punk rebellion will continue. And ask your friends, “What’s crazy?” In theaters August 2, 2024.
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