Kneecap biopic acquired by Sony Pictures Classics in first major Sundance sale

After a whirlwind debut at Sundance Film Festival, Kneecap’s self-titled biopic has been sold to Sony Pictures Classics, Variety reports – with the distribution company acquiring all rights to the film for North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Turkey and the Middle East. It is the first major sale at this year’s festival, with previous years’ purchases boasting notable titles such as Ira Sachs’ Passages and the Oscar-winning CODA.

Kneecap, Rich Peppiatt’s debut feature, premiered on Thursday night at Sundance to critical acclaim, after which the Irish rap group played a set at the after-party for the screening. The trio also brought along a PSNI van for a stunt ahead of the premiere.

A historic moment for film as Gaeilge, Kneecap marks the first time an Irish language film has screened at the festival.

Based on the origin story of the subversive and groundbreaking Irish-language rap outfit Kneecap, the film stars Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, aka Mo Chara, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, aka Móglaí Bap, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, aka DJ Próvaí, in their acting debuts alongside Oscar-nominated Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs, 12 Years a Slave), Simone Kirby (Hidden Assets, Jimmy’s Hall), Jessica Reynolds (Outlander), Fionnuala Flaherty (Ros na Rún) and Josie Walker (Belfast, The Wonder).

Self-professed “low-life scum” Liam Óg and Naoise, along with school teacher JJ, transform into a political symbol and the rebellious voice of Ireland’s subversive youth. As they struggle to procure a wider audience and family and relationship pressures threaten to quell their aspirations, the trio weave a narrative that transcends music. Kneecap is described as “a true-life fable about man’s intrinsic urge for identity, the allure of drugs and a passion for life” and a “thrilling ride pulsating with hip-hop beats.”

The film was written and directed by Peppiatt, based on a story by Peppiatt, Ó Cairealláin, Óg Ó Hannaidh and Ó Dochartaigh. It was produced by Trevor Birney and Jack Tarling.

AC Independent and Charades oversaw and handled the sale on behalf of the filmmakers. Irish and U.K. rights have already been sold to Curzon and Wildcard.