“Each homeland must be revered”

Kneecap director Wealthy Peppiatt devoted his BAFTA Movie Award on Sunday evening to “everybody on the market” who's combating to “have their homeland revered”.

The biopic of the West Belfast hip-hop trio – who're outspoken about their perception in a united Eire – was the winner of the BAFTA for Excellent Debut by a British Author, Director or Producer on the ceremony in London’s Royal Competition Corridor on Sunday (February 16).

The movie, shot largely within the Irish language and starring the band members as themselves, was nominated in a complete of six classes however was profitable in only one.

Peppiatt mentioned he was “completely honoured” to be accepting the award, telling the viewers that his spouse had satisfied him to maneuver to Belfast a decade in the past, and just some weeks later he met the group.

Winner of the award for Excellent Debut is Wealthy Peppiatt for Kneecap ???? @KNEECAPCEOL @CurzonFilm #EEBAFTAs pic.twitter.com/96LVasmXmh

— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 16, 2025

“Kneecap is greater than a movie,” he continued. “It’s a motion and it’s about how everybody ought to have their language revered, they need to have their tradition revered and they need to have their homeland revered. And so this award is devoted to everybody on the market who’s combating that battle.”

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 limitless creativeness – this darkish comedy cum docudrama cum fictionalised origin story follows low degree drug sellers Móglaí and Mo as they bumble by means of life getting crushed up by Republicans and Loyalists alike. Finally, through a drug-induced inventive bender, they uncover a love for making music and kind Kneecap with a neighborhood schoolteacher. Cue the funniest and most enjoyable band biopic since, properly, ever. Even Noel Gallagher’s a fan – and he hates all the things.”

The movie had additionally been longlisted on the Oscars this yr, however was ignored of the ultimate nominations listing final month. The band responded by tweeting: “Fuck the Oscars. Free Palestine.”

Kneecap scored a five-star overview 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 the most effective 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.”

The most important winners on the BAFTAs have been Conclave and The Brutalist, which every picked up 4 gongs.