Kneecap

To be successful, every film about an outsider overcoming the odds, whether it involves sports (e.g. Rocky or Dodgeball) or music (e.g. The Commitments or Pitch Perfect), needs only to follow a standard formula and populate it with appropriately likable characters with clear motivations in a distinctive setting. At its core, Kneecap is not a revelation, as it “only” flawlessly fulfils a concept that works perfectly on viewers. It simply makes ideal use of its belligerent agenda, likably impudent real-life protagonists, vigorous form and finely layered screenplay. This recipe for success turned out unsurprisingly well, but that doesn’t take anything away from the power of the cult that is deservedly building up around the film. It could even be bitterly said that the main reason the film is receiving such an enthusiastic response consists in its clever way of reaching international viewers. Instead of mainstream distribution, it took the more meandering route of gaining fame and enthusiastic recognition in the otherwise mostly difficult environment of film festivals and markets. Nor is it surprising that the distribution giant Sony immediately jumped on this Irish hit sold by a French company. I thus only hope that Sony’s Czech division won’t sleep on Kneecap and will just similarly and brilliantly bide its time until the moment is right to release this impactful and cheeky diss track into Czech distribution. This shot of endorphins should be consumed only in mass form. (30.06.2024)