Kneecap, the first Irish language film to premiere at Sundance Film Festival, has been acquired by Sony Pictures Classics for distribution. Wildcard Distribution and Curzon will distribute the film in Ireland and the UK.
Rich Peppiatt’s Kneecap is the first major sale at Sundance Film Festival 2024. Sony Pictures Classics acquired the film shortly before its world premiere, the first time an Irish language film has ever screened at the acclaimed festival.
Based on the origin story of Irish-language rap trio Kneecap, the film stars the band’s Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh), Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh) in their acting debuts alongside Academy Award nominated Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs, 12 Years a Slave). Set in west Belfast in 2019, it chronicles how fate brings the trio together and the music that came from this.
Kneecap was written and directed by Peppiatt from a story by Peppiatt, Ó Cairealláin, Óg Ó Hannaidh and Ó Dochartaigh. Starring alongside the music trio and Fassbender are Simone Kirby (Hidden Assets, Jimmy’s Hall), Josie Walker (Belfast, The Wonder), Fionnuala Flaherty (Foscadh), Jessica Reynolds (Outlander), and Adam Best (Holby City). The film was produced by Jack Tarling and Trevor Birney for Fine Point Films and Mother Tongues Films, with Patrick O’Neill at Wildcard acting as co-producer. Funding for the film was provided by Northern Ireland Screen, the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, Screen Ireland, the BFI (awarding National Lottery funding), Coimisiún na Meán and TG4, with backing from Great Point Media.
Kneecap will be released in Irish cinemas by Wildcard and Curzon in 2024.
