Between mastery of karate and classical dance, the division seems very difficult for everyone. But not for Jean-Claude Van Damme!
An action movie superstar since the 80s, especially seen on the posters opposite Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Universal Soldier or Stallone in Expendables 2, commonly nicknamed “Muscles from Brussels” is not just biceps and testosterone.
Indeed, even if we know more about his initiation into the world of bodybuilding, karate or many other martial arts, JCVD also studied classical dance as a teenager, for 5 years.
As we learn Documentary film Jean-Claude Van Damme – Coup sur Coup (Available on Arte.tv until November 11), a man who almost played a Predator creature early in his career and who has been practicing karate since he was 11, also wanted to perfect his flexibility by learning it all. severe discipline.
“Classical dance is an art, but it’s also one of the hardest sports”he said in 1989 at the microphone Chicago Sun Times. “If you can survive ballet training, you can survive training in any other sport.”
At the age of 15, after meeting choreographer and dance teacher Monet Loza (who had gone to collect flowers from her parents), JCVD began studying the art of ballet:
“Dancing was among the tricks that could also improve his technique. I told him, ‘You’re made to be a dancer, you’ve got everything to be a dancer.’Loza told Arte in the documentary. “He had these two special gifts: strength and flexibility, which are very rare.”
Two qualities that are immediately apparent when we watch the famous hip swing sequence in Kickboxer, which Van Damme also replicated on the set of Conan O’Brien in 2015.
“Ballet brings a lot of skill”The athlete and actor himself said on the American late show in 1990. “It helped my flexibility. Karate gave me mental and physical strength. I mixed the two and it was great.”
In his youth, by the prestigious ballet school of the choreographer Maurice Béjart in Brussels, Jean-Claude Van Damme chooses to fly to Hollywood to devote himself to his original dream of creating cinema, thus offering his fans a unique style. and unique choreographies, mixing strength and flexibility, martial arts and classical dance.
(Re)discover our video dedicated to Jean-Claude Van Damme…
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
