Kneecap asks us to consider whether hip-hop is a symptom of American cultural imperialism, or a secret weapon gifted to the rebellious subcultures of the world. If you’re a fan, there’s no doubt about the music’s subversive credentials, but like all successful manifestations of popular culture there has to be a right place and a right time.

Director Rich Peppiatt would like us to believe that Belfast, circa 2017, was just such a place. The film is a fictionalised biopic of Northern Irish hip-hop stars Naoise O Caireallain (aka Moglai Bap), and Liam Og Hannaidh (Mo Chara), who, together with former music teacher J.J. O Dochartaigh, (DJ Provai), have become cult heroes for their uncompromising political stance and their championing of the Irish language. They are also champions of the drug culture and fluent in wall-to-wall profanity. They play themselves in the film.