In JCVD, there are two films : a Van Damme action movie and a movie about Van Damme. One within the other. A Russian doll game which enables the actor to surpass himself, to bear and transcend his own part. A way for the star to confront himself to the various aspects of his public figure. Thereby, the mystery that surrounds him brings out the humanity in him.

When the life of Jean-Claude Van Damme collides with the reality of a hold-up in Brussels, Belgium, suddenly the huge movie star turns into an ordinary guy, filled with fears, contradictions and hopes. How can he be up to the legend he has built? What can a film hero do when the gun pointed to his temple isn’t charged with blanks? JCVD finds himself at the turning point of his “hero” life. This film was imagined as a spiral adventure which starts off badly and which ends even worse. When external conquests, movies, cash and fame aren’t worth anything compared to self-reconquest.

If you cut out the action from an action film star, what’s left ? A guy who stays on the ground after each fight. A movie star who lugs around his flaws, his doubts and an enormous fame. JCVD tells you that story, the story of a hero who no longer wants to give out , even if it means taking a lot of kicks which keeps getting harder and harder. JCVD is actually Van Damme’s filmed redemption, like you have never seen on screen: able to hold 4 minutes of non-stop fighting in a single shot and able to hold 4 minutes of emotion…in a single shot as well!