Bodied

Bodied is a 2017 American satirical black comedy-drama film directed by Joseph Kahn and written by Alex Larsen. The film stars Calum Worthy, Jackie Long, Rory Uphold, Jonathan Park, Shoniqua Shandai, Walter Perez, Dizaster, Hollow Da Don, and Charlamagne tha God. The film explores themes of race, cultural appropriation, and the freedom of speech within the context of battle rap.

Plot

The story follows Adam Merkin, a progressive graduate student who becomes immersed in the world of battle rap while researching his thesis on the use of the N-word in the genre. As Adam delves deeper into the culture, he faces moral dilemmas and confronts his own biases and privileges.

Cast

• Calum Worthy as Adam Merkin
• Jackie Long as Behn Grymm
• Rory Uphold as Maya
• Jonathan Park as Prospek
• Shoniqua Shandai as Devine Write
• Walter Perez as Che Corleone
• Dizaster as Megaton
• Hollow Da Don as himself
• Charlamagne tha God as himself

Production

Bodied was produced by Adrian Salpeter, Jae Kim, and Eminem. The film was shot in various locations around Los Angeles, California. The film premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival where it won the People's Choice Award: Midnight Madness.

Themes

Bodied tackles complex issues such as cultural appropriation, racism, and the boundaries of free speech. The film uses the competitive and often controversial world of battle rap as a backdrop to explore these themes, challenging the audience to question their own perspectives on these issues.

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its bold approach to sensitive topics and its sharp, satirical humor. It was particularly noted for its performances, especially that of Calum Worthy.

See also

• Battle rap
• Cultural appropriation
• Freedom of speech
• Racism in the United States

External links

Bodied at IMDb