Ireland has submitted “Kneecap” to represent them in the Oscars international feature film category, making it the first country to do so in the race to the 2025 Academy Awards.
The early — and widely-anticipated — move by the Irish Film and TV Academy is a solid vote of confidence for a film that became a sensation in Sundance, where it was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics, and has been amassing plaudits at festivals around the world over the last few months. The news of its submission was announced on Friday, the same day as the film’s U.S. release (it launches in Ireland on Aug. 8 and is expected to break box office records for an Irish film).
From writer-director Rich Peppiatt, “Kneecap” is a raucous semi-autobiographical comedy about the wildly outspoken and hard-partying Northern Irish hip-hop trio of the same name. The film follows the group as they create their own genre of Irish punk rap, melding the Irish and English languages with electrifying energy and ultimately becoming the unlikely figureheads of a civil rights movement to save their mother tongue — all while battling authorities, paramilitary groups and their own seismic narcotic intake.
Kneecap — known by their stage names Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh), Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh) — all play elevated versions of themselves in the film in first-time acting roles, alongside co-star Michael Fassbender.
“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,” said Chara of the submission, while Bap noted that the film is “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.”
Próvaí 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!” (which in Irish means, “We are honored that IFTA has chosen ‘Kneecap’ as its Oscar shortlist — we are truly grateful… and thank you for the Oscar!”)
“Kneecap” was chosen by IFTA’s selection committee, including Oscar-nominated actor Stephen Rea (“The Crying Game”); award-winning directors Colm Bairéad (“The Quiet Girl”) and Lisa Mulcahy (“Lies We Tell”); actors Liam Cunningham (“Game of Thrones”) and Bríd Ní Neachtain (“Róise & Frank”); and “Flora & Son” producer Rebecca O’Flanagan.
“The Irish Academy is delighted to announce ‘Kneecap’ to represent Ireland in the Oscar international feature film category,” said IFTA CEO Áine Moriarty. “What a brilliantly creative powerhouse of a film, with its bold and fearless storytelling and its raw and boisterous screen performances. Nowhere before has filmmaking brought together the Irish language and music in such rebellious and youthful defiance. We have no doubt that ‘Kneecap’ will both surprise and entertain international audiences, and ultimately leave its unique mark on international Academy members too.”
Added writer-director Rich Peppiatt: “Since the start of the year when ‘Kneecap’ premiered in Sundance, we’ve been humbled by the grá the film has received around the world. But nothing hits quite like the reception we’ve had at home in Ireland. To get the opportunity to represent our nation on the biggest film stage of them all is an absolute privilege. Míle Buíochas to IFTA and everyone who’s been part of and supported our wee film.”
In its review, Variety described “Kneecap” as a “riotous, drug-laced triumph in the name of freedom that bridges political substance and crowd-pleasing entertainment.”
“It is an honour for Kneecap to be selected as Ireland’s Oscar entry, and for it to be announced on the eve of the film’s release in North America, Ireland and the U.K. is such a welcome boost,” said producers Trevor Birney, Jack Tarling and Patrick O’Neill. “We would like to thank IFTA for choosing ‘Kneecap’ and placing the film in such esteemed company – to be in a category that boasts previous winners such as ‘The Zone of Interest,’ ‘Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon,’ ‘The Lives of Others’ and ‘Parasite’ is such a thrill. We would like to thank everyone associated with the production of the film for all their hard work and dedication over the last few years. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but that can also be said of film production!”
The submission of “Kneecap” comes amid an ongoing purple patch for Irish filmmaking and just two years after the country saw “The Quiet Girl” become the first Irish-language feature to make it through to the nominations (“All Quiet on the Western Front” would eventually win).
Given the buzz that “Kneecap” has been building since Sundance, there are now strong hopes that the film can follow in the footsteps of “The Quiet Girl” and make it all the way to the ceremony. However, there are also concerns that the film’s anti-establishment tones, frequent drug references and the band’s own political views — including their outspoken support for Palestinian rights and frequent condemning of Israel’s attacks on Gaza — could potentially prove to be an obstacle.
“Kneecap” was produced by Birney and Tarling for Fine Point Films and Mother Tongues Films, with O’Neill at Wildcard acting as co-producer. Funding for the film was provided by Northern Ireland Screen, the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, Fís Éireann/ Screen Ireland, the BFI (awarding National Lottery funding), Coimisiún na Meán and TG4, Dias Feld and Kamila Serkebaeva, with backing from Great Point Media.
The Oscars international feature shortlist will be announced on Dec. 17, and the final five nominees will be revealed on Jan. 17, 2025. The 97th Academy Awards ceremony will takes place in Los Angeles on March 3, 2025.
