Irish rap group Kneecap are having a big year. Their debut album is out next week and the Kneecap movie, a slightly fictionalized origin story, is out in UK and Irish cinemas in August. They’ve just released the trailer for film.

The band’s Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí all play themselves in the film and are terrific, more than holding their own against the rest of the cast, that includes Oscar-nominee Michael Fassbender, and Simone Kirby, Jessica Reynolds, Fionnuala Flaherty and Josie Walker. Written and directed with anarchic, rebellious glee by Rich Peppiatt, Kneecap falls somewhere between Trainspotting and 8 Mile (but set in Belfast) and is recommended even to people who haven’t taken a shine to the band’s music. Here’s the official synopsis:

When fate brings Belfast teacher JJ into the orbit of self-confessed ‘low-life scum’ Naoise & Liam Óg, the needle drops on a hip hop act like no other. Rapping in their native Irish, KNEECAP fast become the unlikely figureheads of a Civil Rights movement to save their mother tongue. But the trio must first overcome police,paramilitaries and politicians trying to silence their defiant sound – whilst their anarchic approach to life often makes them their own worst enemies.In this fiercely original sex, drugs, and hip-hop biopic, KNEECAP play themselves with Academy Award Nominee Michael Fassbender in tow, laying down a global rallying cry for the defence of native cultures.

There’s no North American release date for Kneecap yet but folks in NYC can catch it this week at the Tribeca Festival. It plays Sunday, June 9 at the Village East at 5:30 PM and is followed by a Q&A with the band and director Rich Peppiatt. Also included with your ticket is Kneecap’s performance later that night at Baby’s All Right (8 PM doors).

There are also Kneecap screenings on June 10 at AMC 19th St East 6 (9 PM) and June 13 at AMC 19th St East (9 PM).

Kneecap’s album Fine Art is out June 14 via Heavenly and the band’s fall tour hits Knockdown Center on September 19.

[embedded content]