Kneecap’s feature film is set to represent Ireland in the Oscars International Feature Film category, the Irish Film and Television Academy has announced.
The Irish language film, which stars the west Belfast rap trio and tells a fictionalised account of their story, has already picked up awards at the Sundance Film Festival in the US and the Galway Film Fleadh.
The film, which also features Michael Fassbender, is due to open in Irish cinemas on Thursday August 8 and is released in the US today, August 2.
The group’s Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara, and DJ Próvai co-wrote the film with director Rich Peppiatt. The cast also includes Simone Kirby, Josie Walker, Fionnuala Flaherty, Jessica Reynolds, and Adam Best.
Reacting to the news Mo Chara said: “We want to thank IFTA for selecting our film to be the Irish submission for an Oscar …..that’s sound of yous. It’s obviously great that films in the Irish language are having some kind of effect on people, you had An Cailín Ciúin and stuff.
Comhghairdeas #Kneecap Congratulations!
— Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) (@IFTA) August 2, 2024
IFTA has selected KNEECAP to represent Ireland in the 97th Oscars @TheAcademy International Feature category. An exciting journey ahead.
@KNEECAPCEOL @richpeppiatt @WildCardDistrib
In Irish Cinemas August 8th pic.twitter.com/RypCZ7xwMh
“For a culture that was so brutally oppressed for so long, the language was almost driven to extinction, now it’s on the biggest stage of the world and it’s an absolute privilege.”
DJ Provaí added: “Is mór an onóir dúinn gur roghnaigh IFTA Kneecap mar a roghnaíseachú don Oscar - tá muid fíor bhuíoch astu… agus go raibh maith agat as ucht an Oscar!” (“We are honoured that IFTA has chosen Kneecap as its Oscar shortlist - we are truly grateful… and thank you for the Oscar!”)
“Obviously the movie is about the Irish language in Ireland, about young people reengaging with the language and putting their own stamp on the language. One thing we’ve noticed in America is it resonates internationally,” said Mógali Bap.
“It’s an international story and makes people reflect on their own culture and language, and to consider the relationship they have with their indigenous or native language. It comes at a time when people are looking for something with a bit more substance, a bit more intrinsic value. That’s the beauty of this movie, we’re meeting people from all walks of life and it’s resonating and they’re leaving the movie feeling proud about their own identity”.
The shortlist for the International Feature Film Oscar will be announced on Tuesday 17 December. The final five nominees will be announced on Friday 17 January 2025.
The Oscars take place in Los Angeles on Sunday 2 March 2025.