Jcvd

[GeneChing]

JCVD is the Being John Malcovich of martial arts films. The film only works based on who JCVD is, but given that, it works on many levels. Some else here has got to see this so I don't sound so insane for liking this flick so much.

I just heard JCVD might get involved with an upcoming Danny McBride project.

[Shaolinlueb]

1. kurt russell is the man, sly can go buzz off. tango and cash has to be in the top 10 of greatest movies of all time

2. jcvd is brilliant for doing this. everyone else makes fun of me, why dont i cash in on it. which he is doing and this might save his career. lol

[brothernumber9]

I watched it some months back. I didn't know what it was about at all, other than a few ppl said it was fairly good. I didn't anticipate that after the beginning there was almost no MA action. Van Damme is getting old, I'm sure he would like to make a transition into less taxing gigs, and I think he did himself well in this film.

I got a good laugh too from the one bank robber that was so enamored with JCVD and wanted him to kick the cigarrette and all. I don't know what either Van Damme or Seagal would be thinking for passing up on The Expendables, even if the script sucked, just to be in that cast would be unbeleivable.

The film was actually a bit transfixing. I would'nt say I really enjoyed it, but I just couldn't not-watch it, and as I'm not so familiar with French films or French style of filming, I found the quirks intriquing.

I would all but say that JCVD is a must watch for any MA fan, for the simple fact that it is one of the better non MA films that an MA star has done, or rather that I have seen.

[doug maverick]

thought i do a bit of digging around about JCVD and steven seagal teaming up and... its kinda true, seagal was in talks but he turned it down, but is being replaced by vinnie jones. which has just excited me about this project.

British actor Vinnie Jones is set to become Hollywood's favourite tough guy - the former soccer player has reportedly replaced Steven Seagal in a new action blockbuster.

Jones, who has enjoyed a string of high profile film roles since he quit his sports career, has signed on to star in Weapon alongside another action man - Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Seagal was recently said to be in talks to act alongside Van Damme as a pair of assassins who track down the head of drug cartel.

But Seagal turned the project down and has been replaced by Jones, according to Moviehole.net.

[doug maverick]

more info from kungfucinema.com

Mulcahy to helm JCVD, Vinnie Jones actioner 'Weapon'

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Jean-Claude Van Damme will be teaming up with Vinnie Jones to portray rival assassins who form an uneasy alliance in WEAPON, a new film from Flagship Films and Russell Mulcahy, the director of RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION and upcoming Thomas Jane crime actioner GIVE 'EM HELL, MALONE.

Jones, a former English footballer who first came to fame as a gangster in Guy Ritchie's LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS, will play a master sharpshooter who joins forces with a knife expert (Van Damme) to take take down the head of a drug cartel.

The film will be produced by Flagship founders Alison Semenza (SUBMERGED) and Todd Moyer (TIME COP). Production is set to begin in August in Vancouver.

Van Damme's semi-biographical film JCVD was recently on DVD. He will next be appearing in two films, UNIVERSAL SOLDIERS: THE NEXT GENERATION and his self-directed thriller THE EAGLE PATH.

[Jimbo]

I went out and bought JCVD yesterday just on the strength of Gene's comments, and I have to say it's a great film, IMO. And I'm no fan of Van Damme's. This wasn't only the best Van Damme film, it's a great film on its own merits, period. Plus, I didn't go in expecting a 'martial arts flick', so I couldn't be disappointed. In fact, I would've been disappointed if it were. I'm still not sure how much was character and how much was from the heart, but he sure played it from the heart. Not to mention, there were a few long single-take scenes that would have been more than a little challenging to film well.

Based on Van Damme's performance, the cinematography, and the general acting of the cast, I rate this one very high.

[GeneChing]

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It's a strange flick for sure. It really sticks with you. I'm no fan of JCVD either. I enjoy watching his old flicks on late night Spanish TV. For some weird reason, I enjoy both JCVD and Seagal much more in Spanish. Maybe it's the machismo inherent in the language. Either that or it's lucha libre. But from a filmmaking/critic standpoint, JCVD is stand out.

It would have been really cool to have seen this under the impression that it was like every other JCVD flick.

[Jimbo]

Prior to JCVD, the only one of Van Damme's films I could really stand to watch more than once was his U.S. debut (also director Corey Yuen's international directorial debut), No Retreat No Surrender. Van Damme played an evil Russian kickboxer, ripped off a bit from Ivan Drago in Rocky IV. It starred Kurt McKinney, and also featured kickboxer Pete "Sugarfoot" Cunningham in a role. NRNS had a certain charming '80s cheesiness, and arguably better fights than in Van Damme's later movies.

It's kind of a shame that JCVD's theatrical release was limited to arthouse theaters.

[Lucas]

just watched this last night. great flick.

[GeneChing]

JCVD would have tanked in regular release. It's too weird, and that's just not marketable. It's doing well as a DVD and even better as an art house flick. I think the marketing of it in America has been very appropriate.

JCVD unveils the 6th French Film Panorama in Shanghai

The 6th French Film Panorama is unveiled in Shanghai Film Art Center today (April 14). Attending the opening ceremony to meet audience on-site are Wang Wei, Deputy Director of Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture, Radio, Film and TV, Guo Dakang, Vice President of Shanghai Film Group, Thierry Mathou, French Consul General in Shanghai and the whole film delegation.

In addition to PARIS, the competition film for 11th SIFF 2008, other 11 features including I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG and SAGAN together with 12 shorts are selected for this year's French Film Panorama.

"The French Film Panorama is a way for Chinese audience to know about the real French film and to feel the passion of the nation. It also serves as a bridge for the culture exchange between China and France", said Wang Wei in the opening.

As the opening film, JCVD was selected as Best film 2008 in Time Magazine and listed as the MUST-SEEN film by several other press companies. JCVD is an autobiographical film with the presence of Jean-Claude Van Damme his own, recording the legendary life of this Hollywood's great martial artist and actor.

The French Film Panorama is favored by local audience, as after 5 consecutive successful years it once again presents a good selection of French new films. By the opening day, tickets of some screens such as JCVD, MAGIC! and I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG, have been sold out.

In the coming two days, filmmakers will visit Shanghai Film Art Center, Yong Hua Cinema City, Cathay Theatre and Stellar Cinema City for Q&A sessions.

The French Film Panorama is a traditional warm-up event for the annual Shanghai International Film Festival, which is held in every June. It is also an effort made by SIFF to bring the film audience and fanatics chances to enjoy films from places of different cultures with different backgrounds.

The 12th Shanghai International Film Festival will be held June 13-21, 2009.

[Jimbo]

On second thought, I have to agree with you, Gene.

[GeneChing]

JCVD's ex. Click for pic.

Darcy LaPier: Sweetheart of the Rodeo
Thursday, August 27, 2009

Darcy LaPier once lived for the Hollywood fast lane. A former Hawaiian Tropic girl, she got tabloid ink when she married her boss, Hawaiian Tropic kingpin Ron Rice. Her next husband was none other than Belgian action film star, Jean-Claude Van Damme. Her third marriage to Herbalife founder Mark Hughes met a tragic end when she found him dead less than a year after they took their vows. Today, LaPier, a mom of three, has transformed herself into an award-winning professional rodeo barrel racer in her home state of Oregon, and scored herself a reality TV deal to boot. Momlogic's Vivian Manning Schaffel gets the skinny on how LaPier pulled it off.

VMS: How did you get into barrel racing?

Darcy: I'd stepped out of the Hollywood scene, moved home to Oregon, bought a ranch, and just fell in love with horses. I went to a rodeo with my dad after moving from L.A. with two of my three kids, saw women's barrel racing, and just loved the pageantry -- including the fancy dress shirts and color-coordinated protective boots! Barrel racing is the only sport in pro rodeo for women. It's always the second-to-last event in front of bull riding, and it's the second most-anticipated sport. Everyone wants to see the women!

Anyway, I've been riding since 2004. At 36, I had my third child, and she's 6 -- my barrel racing baby. I found a barrel horse trainer up in Washington, which is 125 miles one way from me, and I drove there 2 to 3 times a week with my horse. I learned to drive a truck and pull a horse trailer, which is 43 feet nose to tail, and is 24,000 lbs when loaded. I get my music going and feel pretty darn strong!

Each arena is different, and it can rain a lot up here. I've fallen a number of times [she's been through extensive disc-replacement surgery, suffered broken arms -- and even had a broken finger as we were speaking], but I work really hard at training. I ride every day, whether for 15 minutes or an hour and a half. That's my meditation, my "me" time. It's hard for me to explain to my kids that I need time to myself.

VMS: Tell me why you made the choice to leave Hollywood. Did you have kids at the time?

Darcy: Each of my kids are spread out. They each think they are only children. Sterling is 19, and she's a sop****re at UCF this year. Nicolas is 13, and in 8th grade. I was living in Southern California when my husband passed away. I'd found him and lost my mind for about a year.

It got me thinking -- when you live away from your family, it takes a village to help raise kids when they are small. I always found myself having to hire that tribe. I got tired of that, and I started thinking what it would be like if I'd moved home. I'd lived in L.A. for 15 years, and spent all my formative years there. I moved there when I was 18 and stayed until I was 33. I miss it, but now I go back about two to three times a week because of my upcoming reality show. So I've got a good balance going now.

VMS: Do you prefer raising your kids in Oregon or L.A.? Do you prefer country life to city life?

Darcy: We're 25 miles south of Portland, but we live next to a river where it's still only about 2,000 people in our town. We have 40 acres, and I have four dogs and 12 horses, ponies, and baby horses, which is awesome. But what I really miss is the energy where everyone is on the move. Here, there are not as many movers and shakers. I miss that because it's so stimulating. Being around a bunch of really intelligent movers and shakers leads to the kids being more "on it." Here, we're kind of big fish in a small pond. In L.A., you swim in such a great big ocean.

VMS: Tell me about your reality show.

Darcy: I've won a lot of rodeos, buckles, and saddles. I won the NPRA Rookie of the Year back in 2004 when I first started. I can outride most any guy and outdrive them, and most girls can't.

I took my son to Disneyland, and we were sitting on the club level. I sat down next to this guy and he's also from L.A., so we started chatting. He sees me reading all these rodeo magazines, so he asks if I'm a horse trainer. I explain that I barrel race, and tell him what it is. And he's an executive producer for Ryan Seacrest!

He said that they should do a show about me and the rodeo, but I didn't really take it to heart. We exchanged cards. So, we get back to L.A. a week later, and he invited me down to see him. I brought my book of rodeo photos and met everyone there. Everyone was excited, but they realized that they would have to shoot up here at the rodeos, and they don't have the budget to shoot outside of California. This was right after Christmas -- and the economy started tanking.

So I figured that was that. Then, out of the blue, this woman who used to produce a show called "Jockeys" calls and says she got my number from one of the Hawaiian Tropic girls. She heard I was serious about barrel racing, and asked if I'd be interested in doing a show. It was so weird. I think people are strategically placed to guide, help, and encourage each other. It just all fell together.

VMS: What do you hope your kids learn from your life's example?

Darcy: Not to be afraid of anything. Live each day fully, and have faith. Life is like an apple. Just take a bite.

[Lokhopkuen]

Really amazing film. Poignant.

[GeneChing]

AFM: Jean-Claude Van Damme on His New Passion Project and Why He Won’t Be Retiring Anytime Soon
The action legend sits down with director James Cullen Bressack to discuss 'Darkness of Man', which they promise will display a side of the Muscles From Brussels that the world has never seen.

BY ALEX RITMAN

NOVEMBER 2, 2022 7:30AM

RÉGINE MAHAUX

Of all the action heroes merrily kicking the asses of bad guys in the late ’80s and early ’90s, in terms of actual fighting prowess, few came close to Jean-Claude Van Damme, a karate and kickboxing champion who turned his phenomenal martial arts skills — including a particularly impressive spin-kick — into, for a while, back-to-back box office gold.

First propelled into the action arena thanks to Cannon Films’ 1988 low-budget smash Bloodsport, Van Damme quickly cemented his iconic status as the Muscles From Brussels thanks to 1989’s iconic Kickboxer, then starred as warring twins in 1991’s Double Impact, began a long-running onscreen feud with Dolph Lundgren in Roland Emmerich’s sci-fi 1992 hit Universal Soldier, led John Woo’s U.S. debut Hard Target in 1993 and donned Guile’s beret in 1994’s Street Fighter video game adaptation. Like many ultra-ripped stars of the time, however, the hits eventually dried up and so began a period of mostly straight-to-DVD releases. But out of nowhere, Van Damme suddenly showed another side to himself in 2008’s gritty, self-reflective and personal JCVD, then began mixing things up, starring in comedies, voicing kids animations (Kung Fu Panda and, most recently, Minions: The Rise of Gru) and joined his former cohorts for The Expendables, all the while keeping the action going.

Now, at the age of 62, JCVD is set to keep the action going again in Darkness of Man, his latest project being introduced at the American Film Market by VMI Worldwide. From director James Cullen Bressack — a prolific young filmmaker whose list of action films includes Beyond the Law (starring Steven Seagal), The Fortress (starring Bruce Willis) and Hot Seat (starring Mel Gibson) — and based on an original story he devised with Van Damme, the film, to be set and shot in Los Angeles, looks poised to show yet another side to the star.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter from Thailand (where he owns a Muay Thai kickboxing ring) via Zoom, Van Damme — alongside his director Bressack — describes the “brutal” nature of the violence in Darkness of Man (he’s going to get an absolute kicking, apparently), says that, despite reports, his final action film might be some way off, explains why he’s looking forward to shooting in L.A. (clue: It’s his dogs), and reveals why you shouldn’t be alarmed if you see him stretching in an elevator.

continued next post

[GeneChing]

How does Darkness of Man differ from your other films?

JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME We’ve actually been working on the ideas for this for almost two years, and it feels much different and darker. In the film, I’ve got to fight out of passion, I’ve got to fight out of friendship and I’m also out of shape. My character has been drinking, he’s got a problem … he’s lost somebody. He’s in a very dark place. My character is going to be more honest than me in real life.

JAMES CULLEN BRESSACK This is like a neo-noir film in many respects. His character has witnessed the murder of a person he loved and he’s basically taking care of their child. He ends up spiraling out of control and, instead of being this polished martial artist, becomes someone fighting out of necessity, doing everything he can to keep this kid alive. You’re going to see J.C. take real damage in this movie, and you’re going to see a side of J.C. that I don’t think we’ve seen before. It’s a very less polished version of him.

J.C., I hate to ask this question, but how much of your own stunts can you still do? Can you still do the legendary spin-kick and the splits?

VAN DAMME Yeah! I’m lucky — I think it’s in my DNA. But I’m stretching three times a week. The most important thing in life is to stretch, because muscles can grow and disappear depending on the consistency of your routine. Stretching has to be consistent, and not even in a gym. You can do it anywhere, in the right stretchy way, although it’s a little more strange to look at. In Hong Kong I live on the 75th floor and it takes about a minute to get up there. So in the elevator, I squat down and slowly come back to my maximum while stretching over the course of the minute. (Van Damme squats and stretches to show the exercise.) I’m stretching all the time, like a cat. So right now I’m doing very well. I’m also taking lots of good products — dried fruits and ribose — I’m like a pharmacy!

BRESSACK What’s really great is that J.C. is planning on doing most of his own stunts and fights, so to keep the visceral and passionate nature of them we can do a lot of the stuff in real time.

VAN DAMME I’m doing all, except catching on fire and jumping from a building. Because the insurance will not allow that.

You’ve described this movie as being like “Jean-Claude as you’ve never seen him before.” I feel like this phrase has been used a lot previously. JCVD was obviously like we’ve never seen him before. Is it the action style that makes Darkness of Man unique?

BRESSACK Of course, there’s a lot of action in this movie. But this is really focused on a human level and rooted in emotion. And when I say it’s going to be a neo-noir, it’s very, very pulpy. This a very dramatic role for him, and a lot of the more dramatic roles he’s done, like [2018’s] The Bouncer and JCVD, were in the French language. So we’re looking at doing this in English. It really is going to be a very different version of J.C. than you’ve seen before.

VAN DAMME And the fighting, it’s going to be brutal!

BRESSACK What’s also very exciting is that we’re shooting in L.A., which has a very distinct look. And it’s great to bring J.C. back to where his roots are and he hasn’t done a film in L.A. in a very long time.

VAN DAMME Yeah, I’m going to be close to my family and close to my … so many dogs. [Van Damme introduces his pet dog onscreen.] It’s so nice to be at your own house. I’ve been living in hotels for 20 years.

How did the two of you start working together?

VAN DAMME We met in a sauna!

BRESSACK He did a spinning kick! No, actually I wrote him some fan mail and his team got back to me. This was about four years ago and I just said I’m a huge fan and would love to work with J.C. And that’s how it all began.

I actually watched Kickboxer in preparation for this interview. It still holds up!

VAN DAMME You know, a lot of people tell me that those movies haven’t aged. Maybe I know why. It’s about sincerity. If you’re sincere in your role and believe in your part, that — plus all the martial arts — helps the audience ignore the poor background.

JC, you’ve worked with a lot of filmmakers. What do you look for in your directors?

VAN DAMME When you look at the UFC [Ultimate Fighting Championship], most of the time the fighter wants to win for his trainer, who has dedicated months. When you do a movie with a director, you go to war — a healthy, artistic war. You try to make them look good. So for me, if my director wins an award, I’m as happy as me winning an award, 1,000 percent.

What do you think of the younger generation of action stars? Is there a worthy successor?

VAN DAMME I’m actually quite shy and I’m not sure about the term legend. I’m just a normal guy, but the media can elevate you to a position where you look like a legend. So I’m trying to be as close to possible to that word legend. But regarding the younger generation, I was actually having a dinner with Bolo [Yeung] from Enter the Dragon and Bloodsport, and a TV crew showed up and asked, “Who’s next after Van Damme?” And he said he didn’t know. But one guy is out there, and he’s going to pop out soon. It’s a cycle. I don’t know where he is, but I’m telling you he exists somewhere. And we’re going to try to kill him!

You’ve branched out away from pure action and into comedy, gritty drama, even kids’ animation. Is action your comfort zone or are you happy to try other genres?

VAN DAMME The first thing for me is the director. I need to meet the director and for them to tell me the story themselves. They need to put me in a headlock and walk around the block — a big block, three times — saying, “So that’s when the women left you, and that’s where you lost total control, and why” … so I get the full story. I need to hear their truth, their imagination, and know that we like each other.

Earlier this year, it was announced you were going to star in a film called What’s My Name?, which was being described as your final action film. Is that project moving forward? Will it be your final action film?

VAN DAMME I want to make one more big martial arts film. But I guess it’s not the time right now. Before I believed in destiny, but now I believe in synchronicity. So if something doesn’t go my way, then it’s not supposed to go my way. So What’s My Name? may happen, may not happen. And I have another project that’s as good. But that’s for later. Right now, I’m so into Darkness of Man, which was always working in parallel.

Why do you think so many action stars from the ’80s and ’90s are still working today?

VAN DAMME I know an actor who did so many movies. He’s in his 70s and is still making movies, but still professional, and still wants to work and work. There’s nothing wrong with that. Stallone told me on The Expendables that he’d like to die on set.

You’ve got no plans to do that, have you?

VAN DAMME When people ask me my age, I say I’m eternal.

Interview has been edited for length and clarity.

This story first appeared in The Hollywood Reporter’s Nov. 2 daily issue at the American Film Market.

Darkness of Man
JCVD