Why Ireland’s Galway Film Fleadh Has Made Palestine Its Country of Focus: ‘Solidarity’ and the ‘Quality of the Work’

variety.com:

Alex Ritman The 2024 Galway Film Fleadh on Ireland’s tranquil and picturesque west coast is set to open with one of the noisiest films of the year, “Kneecap.” A comedy biopic about the real-life Belfast rap group of the same name, the feature became a breakout hit in Sundance (where it was picked up by Sony Pictures Classics) and has since been gathering steam from various other festivals ahead of its August release.

The band — who all play themselves in the film — have been amassing fame and notoriety along the way, releasing a new album last month, going on sell-out tours and recently playing Glastonbury to what was described as a “headline-worthy crowd.” Unashamedly and refreshingly outspoken, the trio rap and talk openly about their desire for a united Ireland, the history of British oppression in the country and the power of the local language in battling colonialism (“Kneecap” is predominantly in Irish and should qualify for the international feature Oscar).

They’ve also been speaking out about the war in Gaza, regularly calling for a “free Palestine” and denouncing what they describe as Israeli military aggression.

Wherever they’ve gone, they’ve brought Palestinian flags with them and joined pro-Palestinian protests (except in SXSW, which they pulled out of in March due to its links to U.S.