Rich Peppiatt’s Kneecap—a film about the Belfast hip-hop trio of the same name—won the NEXT Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. It marks the first Irish feature film to win at the festival since John Carney’s similarly music-centric Once won the World Cinematic Drama Audience Award in 2007.
Speaking about the win, Kneecap writer and director Rich Peppiatt said: “There’s a saying in Irish—Ní mhaireann solas na maidine don lá—which means no morning sun lasts all day. Well, the amazing week we’ve had here at Sundance since premiering our movie has certainly tested that wisdom—and we’re basking in every moment.” Kneecap (the band) added: “We are delighted to have such an award bestowed upon the first Irish language film at Sundance. Hopefully it will give people in Ireland the confidence to pursue the arts through their native tongue.”
Based on the origin story of the Irish-language rap trio, the film stars the band’s Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí in their acting debuts alongside Michael Fassbender. Read more about the film here, and check out the clip the trio shared from it back in December below.
