Eminem shows off his rapping skills in this semi-autobiographical movie. Rabbit (Eminem) is a poor but talented youngster who must summon the courage to win a life-changing rap contest. Co stars Kim Basinger, Mekhi Phifer and Brittany Murphy.

Film Trivia

• Eminem's best friend and fellow rapper, Proof, was the inspiration for Mekhi Phifer's character, Future. Proof has a small role in this movie as Lil' Tic. In 2006 he was killed during a gun fight in a nightclub.
• This film was shot entirely in and around Detroit, Michigan, where Eminem was born and raised.
• Quentin Tarantino was asked to direct this movie but he had to decline because he was in the middle of directing Kill Bill Vol.1 and Kill Bill Vol.2.
• The title is based upon the '8 Mile road' which separates the African American regions with the mostly white Northern regions. The title is a reference to Eminem's struggle to make it in a scene where many at first did not take him seriously.
• Director Curtis Hanson asked Eminem to dye his hair back to its natural black colour so that the audience would relate to him as Jimmy Smith and not Eminem.

If you like 8 Mile, try these:

• Forever Strong
• Baby Boy