Jean-Claude van Damme: Karate King - 2023

An American low-budget action film celebrated an unexpected worldwide success in 1988: "Bloodsport". With its, the world of film fans and martial arts cinema discovered a new idol: Jean-Claude Van Damme. In the 1970s there was Bruce Lee, but at the end of the 1980s a Belgian won the day. Van Damme was a karate master and had unparalleled strength and flexibility. For ten years he was one of Hollywood's hottest action stars. But excessive overconfidence and drugs bring him down again. At home in Europe he becomes a laughing stock on talk shows. Only with "JCVD" does he manage to get back on his feet, playing his character with perspective and self-irony, but without ever giving up the reputation that his action films brought him and which has been a cult for several generations. The highs and lows of his eventful life are told through archive footage and contributions from people close to the popular Belgian actor.

58min
2023
Released
Trakio rating0.0/10
IMDB rating7.2/10

Cast

Jean-Claude Van Damme profile pictureJean-Claude Van DammeSelf - Portait Subject & Interviewee (archive)
Philippe Graton profile picturePhilippe GratonSelf - Interviewee
Michel Qissi profile pictureMichel QissiSelf - Interviewee
Sheldon Lettich profile pictureSheldon LettichSelf - Interviewee
Ally Walker profile pictureAlly WalkerSelf - Interviewee
Mabrouk El Mechri profile pictureMabrouk El MechriSelf - Interviewee
Terry Crews profile pictureTerry CrewsSelf (archive footage)
Bolo Yeung profile pictureBolo YeungSelf (archive footage)
Jay Leno profile pictureJay LenoSelf (archive footage)
Frank Dux profile pictureFrank DuxSelf (archive footage)
Jason Statham profile pictureJason StathamSelf (archive footage)
Dolph Lundgren profile pictureDolph LundgrenSelf (archive footage)
Chuck Norris profile pictureChuck NorrisSelf (archive footage)
Sylvester Stallone profile pictureSylvester StalloneSelf (archive footage)
Arnold Schwarzenegger profile pictureArnold SchwarzeneggerSelf (archive footage)

About Jean-Claude van Damme: Karate King

Jean-Claude van Damme: Karate King Overview

An American low-budget action film celebrated an unexpected worldwide success in 1988: "Bloodsport". With its, the world of film fans and martial arts cinema discovered a new idol: Jean-Claude Van Damme. In the 1970s there was Bruce Lee, but at the end of the 1980s a Belgian won the day. Van Damme was a karate master and had unparalleled strength and flexibility. For ten years he was one of Hollywood's hottest action stars. But excessive overconfidence and drugs bring him down again. At home in Europe he becomes a laughing stock on talk shows. Only with "JCVD" does he manage to get back on his feet, playing his character with perspective and self-irony, but without ever giving up the reputation that his action films brought him and which has been a cult for several generations. The highs and lows of his eventful life are told through archive footage and contributions from people close to the popular Belgian actor.

Runtime: 58min

Extra details

Original Title: Jean-Claude Van Damme, coup sur coup
Original Language: French
Directed By: Olivier Monssens
Production Companies
Flair ProductionsKaos FilmsRTBFARTE GEIEHOTMovistar+RTSCNC