American Airways removes Kneecap film from flights after complaints
American Airways have eliminated the movie Kneecap from their in-flight leisure after receiving complaints.
The titular Irish rap trio have been on the centre of a storm of controversy this week after UK counter-terror police introduced they have been “assessing” two movies from the band’s gigs
In a single, footage seems to point out a band member shouting “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah”, whereas one other purportedly reveals the group calling for the dying of Conservative MPs. The band have since denied supporting both Hamas or Hezbollah and have denied selling violence in opposition to MPs. However, earlier at present (Might 2), the Met concluded there at the moment are “grounds for additional investigation”.
The information has prompted some, together with the marketing campaign group StopAntisemitism, to name on American Airways to take the group’s 2024 biopic off their movie streaming platform. Describing Kneecap as an “antisemitic and pro-terror group”, the organisation requested, “Why are you giving a platform to hate?”
In response, the airline confirmed on Friday (Might 2) that they had in actual fact eliminated the movie from their onboard leisure.
We have heard from our Onboard Leisure staff, and may verify the present has been faraway from our film alternatives.
— americanair (@AmericanAir) May 1, 2025
Kneecap tells the story of the rise of the West Belfast rap trio, who play themselves within the movie. Shot largely within the Irish language, it’s a semi-fictionalised account of the band’s formation that pulls on real-life occasions. Michael Fassbender performs Arlo, the daddy of Móglaí Bap, within the movie.
After premiering on the 2024 Sundance Movie Competition, it went on to obtained six nominations on the BAFTAs, selecting up the prize for Excellent British Movie. It was additionally chosen because the Irish entry for the Oscar for Greatest Worldwide Function Movie, but it surely was not nominated in the long run.
Accepting the BAFTA, director Wealthy Peppiatt devoted the award to “everybody on the market” who’s preventing to “have their homeland revered”.
Kneecap was named the most effective movie of 2024 by NME, who famous: “Impressed by the three’s experiences rising up in post-Troubles Belfast – in addition to their wit and countless creativeness – this darkish comedy cum docudrama cum fictionalised origin story follows low stage drug sellers Móglaí and Mo as they bumble by means of life getting overwhelmed up by Republicans and Loyalists alike. Finally, by way of a drug-induced artistic bender, they uncover a love for making music and kind Kneecap with a neighborhood schoolteacher. Cue the funniest and most enjoyable band biopic since, nicely, ever. Even Noel Gallagher’s a fan – and he hates all the things.”
Kneecap scored a five-star evaluate from NME, with Andrew Trendell writing: “Unapologetically ballsy and courageous, Kneecap has no enterprise being pretty much as good as it’s – not solely one of many standout movies of 2024, however arguably among the finest music biopics of all time. So, with a lot thought and time to percolate, right here’s your full evaluation: Holy shit, fuck me, what a movie.”
Earlier this week, Kneecap’s label Heavenly Recordings responded to the most recent controversy by issuing a letter defending the band beneath the banner, “We stand for freedom of expression”. It has been signed by over 100 main artists, together with Pulp, Fontaines D.C., IDLES, Large Assault, Paul Weller, Tom Morello, Brian Eno and CMAT. Learn the complete letter right here.
Billy Bragg has since responded to the letter, displaying his help for Kneecap, however noting that he felt it “lacked any sense of nuance or understanding of why this entire furore kicked off”.
Politicians have been calling for Kneecap to be faraway from competition line-ups this summer time, and reveals in Hamburg, Cologne and Berlin for this summer time have been cancelled, in addition to a date in Plymouth in July. Beforehand introduced reveals at Hurricane and Southside Festivals and an Eden Venture gig have additionally been cancelled within the final fortnight.