Latest news with #Kneecap
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
At 60 JK Rowling is a national hero. What have her spineless critics achieved?
Tomorrow is JK Rowling 's 60th birthday. So, as well as wishing her many happy returns, I feel it's the perfect time to reflect on the qualities that have made this monumentally successful author stand out from the crowd. Obviously there's her epic imagination, her mastery of plot, her flair for page-turning prose. Above all else, though, she has something that makes her practically unique in the current cultural landscape. It's called a spine. Nowadays, such an item constitutes a rare and unusual gift, because – from publishing to comedy, and from theatre to pop – 21st-century culture is dominated by cowardly conformists. People who obediently parrot the latest fashionable mantras about politics, history and 'social justice', while traducing those who dare question them. As a result, the arts world has effectively become a kind of private members' club, from which anyone who voices the incorrect opinions about current affairs will be automatically blackballed. This, I believe, is a key reason why so much of today's art and entertainment feels stale and predictable: it's commissioned and produced by people who all think the same. Who have identical views and values. In short, they promote every form of diversity, except the one that matters most: diversity of thought. What makes their conformism all the more pitiful is that they're utterly blind to it. They invariably see themselves as fearless rebels. Take Kneecap, who appear to think they're brave for flying Palestinian flags in front of thousands of people who agree with them. Sorry, dears, but if you want to do something truly rebellious at Glastonbury, try flying an Israeli flag. In today's stiflingly homogeneous cultural climate, that would be greeted as the most shocking act of subversion. Which brings me back to JK Rowling – because, unlike so many of her artistic peers, she exhibits zero desire to keep in with the in-crowd. Politically, we know she's on the Left (she used to donate to Labour). Yet she doesn't toe the Left-wing line. On the contrary, she's been happy to enrage the Left by mocking Jeremy Corbyn, lampooning idiotic efforts to legitimise 'sex work' – and, most scandalously of all, refusing to kowtow to trans activism. That, in particular, took real courage. Genuine independence of thought. And it's why she should be saluted today by anyone who believes in free speech. Because, over the past few years, she hasn't just been campaigning for women's rights to single-sex spaces. She's been campaigning for what George Orwell recognised as the single most important right that any of us can have: the right to say that two plus two makes four. And rarely has that right been under greater threat than in the 2020s, a period during which so many politicians, employers and broadcasters have insisted that two plus two makes five – and tried to crush those who won't comply. Of course, some might argue that JK Rowling's got it easy – because, thanks to her mind-boggling riches, she's beyond cancellation. But if anything, that makes her interventions all the more remarkable. Being so fabulously wealthy, she didn't have to bother. She could have ignored the whole trans row, and just sipped cocktails on her private yacht, blissfully oblivious to the vastly poorer and less powerful women being persecuted for the crime of defending their own rights. Yet she intervened anyway, knowing full well how this would be received. How many other super-rich celebrities would willingly risk endless abuse, threats, and the concerted trashing of their reputation by speaking out for a cause deplored in high-status circles? How many would choose to bring all that grief upon their own heads, for no personal gain? Miserably few. But JK Rowling did. And now, unmistakably, it's paying off. Her financial support helped the group For Women Scotland bring the appeal that ended with the Supreme Court ruling that, under the law, women are female – and therefore do indeed have the right to single-sex spaces. More than the money, though, I think her most crucial contribution has been moral. Her speaking out has emboldened countless others to speak out, too. This is why, as she turns 60, JK Rowling has become more than just our biggest-selling novelist. She's become a national hero. And what have her spineless critics achieved? Obviously they'll never have her success. But more importantly: they'll never have her guts.
Sunday World
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
In demand Kneecap to play two sold-out rooftop shows in New York following Hungary ban
The controversial Belfast-based rap trio will join the list of major stars who have appeared at the city's prestigious The Rooftop at Pier 17 venue in October Kneecap are set to play two sold-out rooftop shows in New York later this year in the wake of their ban on performing in Hungary. The controversial Belfast-based rap trio will join the list of major stars who have appeared at the city's prestigious The Rooftop at Pier 17 venue on October 1 and 10. Described as New York City's most scenic concert venue, with views of the Brooklyn Bridge, and Empire State Building, The Rooftop has played host to Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, Tate McRae, and the Fugees, whose first reunited performance in over 15 years took place there in 2021. They have also announced another European show in September at the Gasometer in Vienna. The group, who are outspoken supporters of Palestine, were due to perform at Sziget Festival on August 11. . News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, July 29 Kneecap said 'there is no legal basis' for Hungary banning the act from entering the country ahead of their scheduled appearance at the music festival. However, Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs wrote on social media platform X that the decision to ban Kneecap was because the group's 'members repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups'. In a statement posted on Instagram, Kneecap described the decision to bar them from entry as 'political distraction' and pointed out that none of the group has any criminal convictions. A spokeswoman for Sziget Festival also described the move as 'unnecessary and regrettable'. 'Cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution,' she added. The statement from Kneecap said: 'To the tens of thousands of fans who we were buzzing to see in person at Sziget, we're sorry we won't be with you. 'The authoritarian government of Viktor Orban say we 'pose a national security threat'. 'Which is f****** outrageous coming from a man who welcomed Netanyahu, a wanted war criminal, like a hero just a few weeks ago. 'There is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country. We stand against all hate crimes and Kneecap champions love and solidarity as well as calling out injustices whenever we see it. 'It's clear that this is political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.' Kneecap have had several shows cancelled in recent months, including TRNSMT festival in Glasgow and at the Eden Project in Cornwall. They claim this is part of a smear campaign against them because of their vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, which they say is a genocide. The statement posted earlier on Thursday by Mr Kovacs said: 'Hungary has zero tolerance for antisemitism in any form. 'Their planned performance posed a national security threat, and for this reason, the group has been formally banned from Hungary for three years. 'If they enter, expulsion will follow under international norms.' The spokeswoman for Sziget Festival said: 'Following concerns raised by government and pressure groups across Hungary over the past weeks at the prospect of Kneecap performing, we have liaised closely with the band and they reassured us that their performance would not contravene either Sziget's values or Hungarian law. 'Over the past 30 years, Sziget has served as a free and safe place for different cultures, hosting artists and visitors from around the world, earning significant recognition in the international community and enhancing Hungary's reputation. 'We fear that the government's decision announced today to ban Kneecap may not only damage the reputation of Sziget, but also negatively affect Hungary's standing worldwide.' Kneecap – comprised of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh – were formed in Belfast and released their first single in 2017. They hit the headlines recently after O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah. In May, the Metropolitan Police said the group were being investigated by counter-terrorism police after videos emerged allegedly showing them shouting 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah' and 'Kill your local MP'. The group apologised to the families of murdered MPs and said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. They were also investigated over their set at Glastonbury Festival in June, but last week Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they would be taking no further action.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Hamas-cheering Irish band Kneecap to play pair of sold out rooftop shows in NYC
Israel-hating Irish rap group Kneecap, which is facing terrorism charges for brandishing a Hezbollah flag and praising Hamas at a show in London last year, will play a pair of sold-out shows in New York this October. The controversial Belfast-based group is known for spewing hateful pro-terrorist propaganda from the stage, including openly supporting the 'Palestinian struggle' a day after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas massacre in Israel and performing in front of a backdrop that read 'F–k Israel Free Palestine.' 3 Kneecap is known for spewing vile anti-Israel rhetoric from the stage. Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP Advertisement Kneecap member Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam O'Hanna, was charged under the Terrorism Act in Britain last month for waving the flag of the banned group while allegedly saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah.' At a court hearing in London in June, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the court, hoisting signs that read 'Defend Kneecap' and 'Drop the Charges.' 3 Kneecap rapper Mo Chara — real name Liam O'Hanna — is facing terrorism charges in London for brandishing the flag of Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah. @AJCGlobal/X Advertisement The band has defended their actions, saying, 'We deny this 'offense' and will vehemently defend ourselves,' describing the charge against the rapper as an attempt to silence them. 3 The group has accused Israel of committing 'genocide' from the stage and slammed the US for supporting the Jewish state. Getty Images Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said the rapper is 'well within his rights' to support the Palestinians, but not to defy a law that criminalizes displaying signs or banners that give a reasonable suspicion of supporting a known terror group, according to the BBC. Chara has also accused Israel of committing 'genocide' in Gaza and hit out at the US for its support of the Jewish state. Advertisement 'They're bombing them from the skies. If you're not calling it a genocide, what the f–k are you calling it?' he said to raucous cheers on stage while a screen behind the band read, 'The US government arms and funds Israel despite their war crimes.' The group will be performing at The Rooftop at Pier 17 on Oct. 1 and 10.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kneecap Banned From Hungary for Posing ‘National Security Threat'
Kneecap's forthcoming performance in Hungary will not go ahead as the Irish band has been banned from the country for three years for posing 'a national security threat.' Hungarian politician and spokesperson Zoltán Kovács announced the ban on social media on Thursday, saying Kneecap are 'officially banned from entering Hungary—for antisemitism and glorifying terror.' More from Rolling Stone Police End Investigation Into Kneecap's Glastonbury Performance Massive Attack Launch Alliance for Musicians Facing 'Intimidations From Within Our Industry' for Supporting Gaza Kneecap Don't Back Down in New Video for 'The Recap' Kneecap were scheduled to perform at Budapest's Sziget Festival on Aug. 11. Kovács said the band would not be allowed in the country because they 'repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups. Hungary has zero tolerance for antisemitism in any form.' He added, 'Their planned performance posed a national security threat, and for this reason, the group has been formally banned from Hungary for three years. If they enter, expulsion will follow under international norms.' Kneecap responded with their own statement apologizing to the 'tens of thousands of fans who we were buzzing to see in person at Sziget.' 'The authoritarian government of Viktor Orban say we 'pose a national security threat,'' the band wrote. 'Which is fucking outrageous coming from a man who welcomed Netanyahu, a wanted war criminal, like a hero just a few weeks ago. There is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country. We stand against all hate crimes and Kneecap champions love and solidarity as well as calling out injustices where we see it.' They added, 'It's clear this is political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.' In a statement, Sziget called the Hungarian government's decision 'unnecessary and regrettable.' 'Following concerns raised by government and pressure groups across Hungary over the past weeks at the prospect of Kneecap performing, we have liaised closely with the band and they reassured us that their performance would not contravene either Sziget's values or Hungarian law,' the festival said. 'Sziget Festival's values mean we condemn hate speech, while guaranteeing the fundamental right to artistic freedom of expression for every performer. Cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution…. We fear that government's decision announced today to ban Kneecap may not only damage the reputation of Sziget, but also negatively affect Hungary's standing worldwide.' Kneecap have been a constant subject of controversy over the past few months, both in the U.K. and around the world. At Coachella in April, the trio started one of their sets with a screen message that read, 'Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people,' followed by, 'It is being enabled by the U.S. government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes.' At Glastonbury last month, the band led the crowd in a chant of 'Fuck Keir Starmer.' The band was subsequently investigated by police for their Glastonbury performance, which was not aired live. Last week, the BBC reported that the Avon and Somerset Police announced that in following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service it had decided not to take any further action against Kneecap due to 'insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offense.' Additionally, Kneecap's Mo Chara, born Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, faced a terror charge in the U.K. for allegedly displaying the Hezbollah flag and yelling, 'Up, Hamas, up Hezbollah,' and, 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory,' at a November 2024 concert. Ó hAnnaidh and Kneecap have repeatedly denied the allegations and claimed footage from the concert was 'deliberately taken out of all context.' They've also suggested the charge was backlash towards their vocal support for Palestine, against the war in Gaza, and and against the U.K. and U.S. governments for funding and supplying it. Chara is currently out on bail ahead of an August 20 court date. This article was updated with a statement from Sziget on July 25 at 7:45 a.m. ET Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked Solve the daily Crossword
Euronews
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Why is this children's classic Britain's most complained about film?
2024 was a great year for cinema, and several films that made our year featured some NSFW content. Whether it was the nudity in Anora, the colourful language in Kneecap, the grotesque body horror in The Substance or some of the gorgeous yet horrific tableaus in The Devil's Bath, there was plenty to keep censors busy. Still, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has revealed that none of these films were in consideration for the most complained about movie of 2024. It turns out that the new age rating given to a beloved classic caused the biggest stink... In their annual report, the BBFC reveals that its decision to reclassify the 1964 classic Mary Poppins, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, from a U (Universal – suitable for all) to a PG (Parental Guidance) has made it the most complained about movie of 2024. According to the BBFC, of the 224 complaints made during the year, 56 were for Mary Poppins – meaning it came ahead of complaints about knife fights in Dune: Part Two and that sex scene in Saltburn. So, why was Mary Poppins' rating changed? It all comes down to the word 'hottentots' – which is used twice in the film by the character Admiral Boom, who refers to chimney sweeps covered in soot. Hottentots is a slur originally used by Dutch settlers in South Africa – and was later used to refer to all Black people. Those complaining to the BBFC deemed the discriminatory term to be too outdated and wanted the rating to remain unchanged David Austin, chief executive of the BBFC said: 'The two uses of the discriminatory term 'hottentots' are neither criticised nor condemned, increasing the risk that very young viewers might repeat it without realising the potential for offence.' Elsewhere, there were 17 complaints regarding the 1989 sci-fi classic The Abyss - regarding rumours that the film had been cancelled because of BBFC advice concerning a scene in which a man submerges a live rat in liquid – and Dune Part Two got 13 complaints from people feeling that the 12A (no one younger than 12 may be permitted to attend a 12A cinema screening unless they are accompanied by an adult) was too lenient. Rounding things off was the dark comedy Saltburn, which tallied ten complaints after being rated 15 for 'strong sex, nudity, sexual threat, drug misuse and very strong language'. Austin said: 'Those who got in touch with us generally felt that the film's depiction of sexual obsession was too disturbing for 15. Given the blackly comic tone of the film and that the key scenes, while strong, lacked graphic nudity and other visual explicitness, Saltburn meets our standards at a 15 classification.' The current UK ratings are U, PG, 12A/12, 15, 18 and R18. You can read all about the UK's precise – some might say illiberal – classification system here. And in case you missed it, check out our Top Movies of 2024 here. And remember: "Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, in the most delightful way!"
