Irish rappers Kneecap have really put themselves on the map in recent years.
The lads have been making waves with their raps which are as Gaeilge.
They speak openly about the importance of the Irish language in Northern Ireland as well as the entire country.
And now they could be heading to the Oscars.
Kneecap’s feature film is set to represent Ireland in the Oscars International Feature Film category, the Irish Film and Television Academy confirmed.
The film, which is a fictionalised version of their life story, has already picked up awards at the Sundance Film Festival in the US and the Galway Film Fleadh.
The group’s Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara, and DJ Próvai co-wrote the film with director Rich Peppiatt. It stars the three lads as well as Michael Fassbender, Simone Kirby, Josie Walker, Fionnuala Flaherty, Jessica Reynolds, and Adam Best.
Speaking about the nomination, 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.
View this post on Instagram
“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. 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!”)
Mógali Bap commented: “Obviously the movie is about the Irish language in Ireland, about young people re-engaging with the language and putting their own stamp on the language. One thing we’ve noticed in America is it resonates internationally. 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.”
Ádh mór, lads!
