A film about a Belfast rap group, replete with anti-British themes and nods to Irish republicanism, has taken the gong for Best British Debut at the Baftas. The Telegraphhas the details.
The Irish-language film Kneecap, by director and writer Rich Peppiatt, is based on a semi-fictionalised account of how the Belfast rap group of the same name was formed.
The outspoken band, made up of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise Ó Caireallain and JJ Ó Dochartaigh from West Belfast, is known for its provocative lyrics and merchandise in support of Irish republicanism.
During Sunday’s awards ceremony, the breakout movie was nominated in six categories – including best British film, best editing, best film not in the English language, best original screenplay, best casting and best debut for a British writer, director or producer.
After Peppiatt won the best debut, he took to the stage and said Kneecap was a “movement” and that “everyone should have their language respected and their culture respected”.
The trio’s name is derived from so-called kneecapping – where young people are shot in the legs by paramilitaries in republican and loyalist communities in Northern Ireland, because of allegedly being involved in crime or antisocial behaviour.
The film includes a joke that compares the Brighton bombing to a sex act.
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform, told the Telegraph: “This is an insult of the worst kind to all the good people of the RUC and British Army who were murdered by the IRA.” …
JJ Ó Dochartaigh, whose stage name is DJ Próvaí, attended the awards wearing his signature balaclava in the colours of the Irish tricolour.
The official Kneecap X page posted ahead of the awards ceremony on Sunday said: “We’re at the Baftas later – hopefully we steal a few to take back to Ireland.
“Don’t forget the British Government still occupy Ireland and they’re flying spy missions over Gaza as we speak to help Zionist fanatics bomb kids.
‘Free Palestine. Free the Six Counties.’”
In November 2024, the group won a discrimination case over a decision by Kemi Badenoch, now Conservative leader, to refuse them arts funding.
The trio had launched legal action claiming the decision to deny them a £14,250 grant discriminated against them on grounds of nationality and political opinion.
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