Jean-Claude Van Damme: Karate King Backdrop Blur
Jean-Claude Van Damme: Karate King Poster

Jean-Claude Van Damme: Karate King

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.

Top Cast

  • Claude Goetz

    Claude Goetz

    Self - Interviewee

  • Philippe Graton

    Philippe Graton

    Self - Interviewee

  • Michel Qissi

    Michel Qissi

    Self - Interviewee

  • Monette Loza

    Monette Loza

    Self - Interviewee

  • Marc Duvinage

    Marc Duvinage

    Self - Interviewee

  • Vincent Fannoy

    Vincent Fannoy

    Self - Interviewee

  • Sheldon Lettich

    Sheldon Lettich

    Self - Interviewee

  • Cédric Delelée

    Cédric Delelée

    Self - Interviewee

  • David Worth

    David Worth

    Self - Interviewee

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.

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