“Kneecap,” the wild Irish comedy biopic that took Sundance by storm earlier this year, is heading to Africa. The film, which is Ireland’s submission to the Oscars international film category and many have tipped for a nomination, has been acquired by international distributor What the Hero Wants (WTHW) in a multi-territory deal.
After impressive box office runs in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland and a global box office in excess of $4 million, “Kneecap” will now launch theatrically in early December 2024 across multiple African territories, including South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana, with more to be announced. This will be followed by a digital release.
From writer-director Rich Peppiatt, “Kneecap” — which was picked up in Sundance by Sony Pictures Classics — is a raucous semi-autobiographical comedy about the wildly outspoken and hard-partying Northern Irish hip-hop trio of the same name. Set in Belfast, the film follows the group as they create their own genre of Irish punk rap, melding the Irish and English languages with electrifying energy and ultimately becoming the unlikely figureheads of a civil rights movement to save their mother tongue — all while battling authorities, paramilitary groups and their own seismic narcotic intake. The film stars the band members who play themselves alongside co-star and Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender.
According to WTHW, the film’s message of “protecting indigenous languages” and its “anti-colonial sentiment” is something that will resonate with African audiences.
“Acquiring ‘Kneecap’ for African territories, was an easy decision,” said WTHW co-CEO Aaryan K. Trivedi, who negotiated the deal with Charade’s Hélène Espeisse. “It’s exactly the type of film we not only want to release but watch ourselves. It’s bold, fun, intelligent and with something to say, and we believe what it’s saying is something many African audiences want to hear.”
The deal sees What The Hero Wants taking rights for Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Swaziland, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of South Africa, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
