JCVD

Year: 2008
USA: Peace Arch Entertainment
UK: Revolver Entertainment
Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, François Damiens, Saskia Flanders, Zinedine Soualem, Karim Belkhadra, Jean-François Wolff, Anne Paulicevich, Janine Horsburgh, François Beukelaers, Alan Rossett, Vincent Lecuyer, Raphaëlle Lubansu, Steve Preston, Paul Rockenbrod, Dean Gregory, Norbert Rutili, John Flanders
Director: Mabrouk El Mechri
Countries: Belgium / Luxembourg / France
USA: 93 mins
UK: 92 mins
USA Rated: R for language and some violence
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong language and one scene of strong violence
USA Release Date: 14 November 2008 (Limited Release)
USA Release Date: 7 November 2009 (Limited Release - New York)
UK Release Date: 30 January 2009 (Limited Release)
UK DVD Release Date: 2 February 2009 (Limited Release - London West End, Prince Charles Cinema)

Synopsis

What happens when we cross the fantasy life of celebrity with the harshness of reality? Is the action star still a hero, or just an ordinary man dealing with life's daily struggles?

Following the success of his first feature film, Mabrouk El Mechri (Virgil) presents the paradox of celebrity and reality through a story inspired by the life of action hero Jean-Claude Van Damme. Starring himself, JCVD tells the story of a fallen action hero through opposing points of view. When he is held hostage in a bank robbery and the myth of his celebrity collides with the unpredictable nature of reality, can the man measure up to his legend?

This unique perspective on the false relationship between a celebrity and the public is explored in a story that combines reality with fantasy and comedy with drama, all in the exciting, gripping genre of hostage/cop films.