In his third feature film, director Joseph Kahn (perhaps best known for his work crafting music videos for up-and-comers like U2, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Eminem and Britney Spears) dives headfirst into an explosive “safe space” where the art of battle rap and PC-culture literally collide, triggering a hip-hop infused satirical tsunami that brilliantly captures the temperature of our current socio-political climate. Produced by Eminem and written by Torontonian Alex Larsen (aka Kid Twist), the film deftly navigates controversial and timely issues surrounding cultural appropriation, gender politics, class, systemic racism, and various social injustices via the lead character, a white male grad student (Calum Worthy) on the hunt for battle rap legitimacy. With Anthony Michael Hall, Jackie Long, Shoniqua Shondai, Charlamagne The God.

TIFF Midnight Madness Audience Award 2017, Fantastic Fest Audience Award 2017

“The most subversive movie about hip hop ever made, one of the most exciting modern portraits of race relations period, and a daring assault on white liberal privilege that checks it from the inside out.” (IndieWire)

“Joseph Kahn and cinematographer Matthew Wise shoot each clash with tons of whip-pans and other swift camera moves to amp up the energy level, like we’re watching FIGHT CLUB without the beatings (although there are a few of those as well).” (Hollywood Reporter)

“Even if you have no interest in rap battling, BODIED will suck you in and send you spinning with the battles. You’ll love seeing words used as weapons, and you’ll never stop considering the wounds they inflict.” (Collider)

Sunday, November 18
Doors 9:00 pm | Movie 9:30 pm

Tickets $10.50 advance HERE | $12.50 at the door

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Monday, November 26
Doors 9:00 pm | Movie 9:30 pm

Tickets $10.50 advance HERE | $12.50 at the door

*Minors welcome in the balcony. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service and main floor seating.
**Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK. Please redeem at the door.

BODIED (Joseph Kahn, 2017 / 120 mins / 18A) A progressive graduate student finds success and sparks outrage when his interest in battle rap as a thesis subject becomes a competitive obsession.