Eminem's history as a freestyler and battle rapper has been well documented, so who better to help shepherd a parody film based on one of hip-hop's most storied traditions? Alongside director (and music video veteran) Joseph Kahn and co-producers, Paul Rosenberg (CEO of Def Jam), Adi Shankar, and Jil Hardin, Em is bringing Bodied, the story of a graduate student who becomes immersed in underground battle rap culture, to a screen near you.
News of Eminem's involvement in the film first broke in August last year, and it screened at Toronto International Film festival in September. Now, according to Variety, the film will be released on YouTube Red, the video streaming platform's subscription service. It will also screen at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21.
Critics have responded positively to the moves so far, with Eric Kohn of IndieWire writing that it "bristles with big ideas and an eagerness to spark debate about political correctness; despite the cynical edge, there’s a sincerity to Kahn’s evident desire to interrogate his themes." The Ringer's Adam Nayman said that Bodied "may turn out to be the millennial Do the Right Thing — an irrepressible expression of culturally and historically specific angst that forces you to have an opinion instead of watching passively."
Bodied stars Calum Worthy in the lead role, along with Charlamagne the God, Anthony Michael Hall, Rory Uphold, and Jackie Long. The screenwriter, Alex Larsen, is also battle rapper under the name Kid Twist. The film sounds perfect for the always provocative Eminem, who recently returned to his battle rap roots for a freestyle at the BET Hip-Hop Awards bashing Donald Trump. He also starred in the autobiographical movie 8 Mile, which showcased Detroit's battle rap culture and made "Clarence" a lethal insult for aspiring MCs.
2018 is shaping up to be a busy year for Em, who is headlining Coachella, along with a slew of other festivals. Check out the trailer for Bodied below, and read our list of must-watch movies for music lovers on Netflix.
