Little did I know that when I RSVP’d for the partner screening of Kneecap (I opt-in for KCRW’s Partner Screening newsletter too), I’d be getting a history lesson and an amazing experience watching this film. Plus, the actors/rappers Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvai, and director Rich Peppiatt held a panel after the screening to answer questions from KCRW DJ Dan Wilcox. I knew so little about this film and rap group that I didn’t even realize the actors I watched on screen were playing themselves. They told the audience they had six months of actor training before beginning the film, but as Móglaí Bap said in the panel, “It was the role we were born to play.” Their stellar acting chops fooled me.

Kneecap makes no apologies for foul language, drug use, and other explicit content in telling the story of the relatively new rap group. And it absolutely shouldn’t. It’s the freshest film I’ve seen all year and a complete surprise in every respect (due to my ignorance of the topic and the artists). Imagine the year 2019 and the people in The North of Ireland are clashing with the Brits regarding the use and status of their native Irish language (among other injustices). Is this really 2019? I’ll admit, at first, I thought I was watching a period piece on the troubles during the ‘70s/‘80s. I know so very little about the culture and political climate in and around Belfast, but Kneecap came through to inform, inspire, and tell a story about the importance of identity and maintaining and popularizing what could be considered an endangered language.

The members of the rap group, Kneecap, play themselves in the fictionalized real-life story of their origins and rise to fame — crafting and performing popular and politically charged rap songs in the Irish language. In 2019, the Irish language was not recognized as the official language of the North of Ireland. It received that designation recently in January of 2022. Without a doubt, Kneecap’s musical repertoire has bolstered the language into the mainstream.

These are extraordinarily talented artists both in music and film led by a first-feature-film director who tells a story that is powerful, captivating, and downright entertaining. The moments of comedy are well placed and refreshing to the often serious political backdrop. A few of their songs including (explicit) “A Better Way to Live” and (explicit) “Gael-Gigolos” are forever etched into my memory and have made my summer playlist. 

I’m going to give Kneecap a hard recommendation to all of my friends and family, and to you all too. Check out their music if you’ve got the time, you can feel the rebellion in their words even if you aren’t fluent in the language. 

I can’t help but appreciate KCRW’s Partner Screenings for bringing this kind of content to our community for free! I always find that these kinds of events introduce me to things that are new and unexpected. They’re things I wouldn’t often discover myself. Did any of you see Kneecap too?

Insider Outsider,
JoeyP

P.S. There's a partner screening coming up for Chimp Crazy. Details below.

Mexican Cartels Are Targeting Tortillerias

Small business tortilla shops are under fire from Mexican cartel networks aimed at extorting them. Some shops are set on fire and destroyed, often an indicator that they refuse to pay up. It’s estimated that 15% of Mexico’s tortillerias have been impacted by drug cartels looking to expand and “diversify” their income streams. Payment for water, insurance, and other aspects of the supply chain are all potential areas that cartels can extort. If tortillerias don’t pay up, they could end up losing everything. And when they do pay up, the price of tortillas can increase because the cost of doing business is increasing. Hear more from Evan Kleiman.

How are you ‘Making It' in LA?

Making it anywhere, especially in LA, will have a different definition depending on who you talk to. And that’s what Megan Jamerson is doing with the new Making It series for KCRW. Megan went out and spoke with people in LA, people like you, who are trying to make it in LA. But this isn’t only your Midwest-to-mainstream story of making it as a star in the entertainment industry. We’re learning what it means to make it from people in all walks of life. In the first installment of the series, we hear from LAUSD teacher Tanya Reyes. So, what’s your definition of making it?

The Art of Transforming Birds and Mythical Creatures into Piñatas

Being frugal pays off in a big way for artist Roberto Benavidez. After moving to Los Angeles, he began taking a night class to pursue a passion for sculpting. The class specialized in bronze casting. So when Roberto started out on his own, he sought out something that wasn’t so expensive as the bronze art he started with. This is when he discovered a “make your own piñata” website. Well, the rest is history… literally. When starting out, it was helpful that piñatas are mostly made of low-cost materials (paper, wire, cardboard, etc). But then Roberto started to learn about the rich history of candy-filled birthday basher and it’s transformed his piñata sculpture work to broader representations of identity, sexuality, and religion. Not only that, but they’re downright beautiful.

Important Things of Great Importance: Animal Crossing

No Concordia, not the video game. It’s an animal crossing over Interstate 101. You know, sometimes we just really need some light-hearted satire that’ll make you laugh while you learn. News can often be so serious, which is why many flock to the likes of Jon Stewart and and John Oliver. Well, move over Jon-Johns, Concordia is here to give a slightly different, slightly narcissistic take on the news that matters to us LA-local folk.

KCRW Partner Screening: Chimp Crazy

KCRW, Vidiots, and HBO invite you to a special advance screening of Episode 1 of Chimp Crazy followed by a conversation with filmmakers, Eric Goode and Jeremy McBride moderated by KCRW's Elvis Mitchell.

Chimp Crazy explores the captivating, often unfathomable, and secretive world of raising chimpanzees and also examines the colorful and complicated cast of characters that inhabit it. Former nurse-turned-exotic animal broker Tonia Haddix, who refers to herself as the “Dolly Parton of chimps,” spends her days caring for animals in captivity. However, her limitless love for one chimpanzee in particular spins into a wild cat-and-mouse game with authorities and an animal rights group. Through Tonia’s and other “chimp mom” experiences, Chimp Crazy reveals the singular bonds that form between owners and their highly intelligent great ape pets. The series exposes the risks humans take when they try to raise these animals as members of their family, as well as the risks to the welfare of the animals themselves.

Reeperbahn Sweeps Last Chance

Hallo Freunde! The cuckoo clock is ticking down on this opportunity. It’s a trip for two to Hamburg, Germany with tickets to experience the live music and conference programs of the Reeperbahn Festival. Plus, you’ll get round-trip airfare, entrance to the opening gala, and hotel accommodations. DYK? The name Reeperbahn comes from the Low German words Reep, meaning rope, and Bahn, meaning track, and refers to the street's history as a ropewalk where ropes were made for sailing ships in the 17th and 18th centuries. Thrilling… amirite, well, the festival will be and this is your last chance to get in on it! Donate by midnight tonight, July 31st to be automatically entered to win!