Rap film takes aim at politically correct language

Rap battle and political correctness don't typically mix, but that'sthe point of the filmBodied, writtenby Canadian author and rapper Alex Larsen, better known to some as Kid Twist.

The film follows the character of Adam, portrayed by Victoria-born actorCalumWorthy,a white and purportedly progressive graduate student who dives into the underground community of battle rapping for his thesis project.

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Joseph Kahn who has been directing music videosfor over 25 yearsjoins Larsen on this project, which shatters the boundaries of political correctnessand evaluates the power of language.

"We're at a point in society right now where we can't really talk about things honestly because it either swings too left or too right and the entire idea of being able to say controversial things is kind of out of the question," Kahn told On The Coast host Stephen Quinn.

War of words

But in the ring of a rap battle, just about anything can be said. Rap battles involve two people engaged in a war of words in front of an audience. It typically includes rhymed insults and bravado.

The film aims todiscuss topics of race, appropriation, political correctness and privilege, issuesmany feel are too sensitive to touch.

"The intent was to put it all out there, to bring this out on a naked level where you could see everything," Kahn said.

Kahn has seen varied reactions from audiences but generally the film seems to act as a cathartic experience for many, achance to laugh at the sensitive reality of many college campuses today.

"When you get into a movie theatre and people can finally laugh about this stuff, it's a release."

Kahn has seen varied reactions from audiences but generally the film seems to act as a cathartic experience for many.

'It's a release'

"When you get into a movie theatre and people can finally laugh about this stuff, it's a release

"It's a satire in the truest form, that we're roasting things. We're throwing them in the air, we're letting them shatter on the ground but the actual act of it is offensive and it's meant to be."

The film is produced by rapper Eminem, who starred in8 Mile, playing the role of Jimmy, a white rapperin Detroit.

Kahn sees Bodied as an evolution of that film, whichlooks at how rap battles have becomemore mainstream.

The film makes its West Coast premier on Sunday at the Rio Theatre in Vancouver at 9 pmas part ofthe Grind Film Festival.

To hear the full interview with director Joseph Kahn, listen to media below:

With files from the CBC's On The Coast