Van Damme: 10 years ago, he played against the president of Ukraine in Napoleon!

In theaters from November 22, Ridley Scott’s Napoleon continues to attract attention. Of course, this isn’t the first time the French emperor has inspired cinema: among his many appearances on the big screen, there’s one you might not know…

Christian Clavier, Joaquin Phoenix and… Volodymyr Zelensky? Yes, the current president of Ukraine once played Napoleon when he was a popular actor and comedian, in Rzhevsk vs. Napoleon, a film that was released in Russia in 2012 – and was not released in Western Europe.

As for Jean-Claude Van Damme, he appears there briefly and plays his role in period costume: he speaks French and English opposite Dzhevsky, who speaks only Russian and only asked what they offer for travel and recreation. A large apartment in Kyiv as compensation for participating in the project!

• “We’re going to distribute movies over the phone”: In 2001, Jean-Claude Van Damme announced Laughter Streaming.

In the program, crude jokes, anachronisms and over-the-top action (you guessed it?) in this strange historical comedy that borders on the hedgehog, referring to films like Pretty Woman, Terminator 2 or even The Fifth Element, except that the set moments are incredible, such as the one where the actors they start Dance without warning.

• ‘The Biggest Mistake of My Career’: Jean-Claude Van Damme’s 7 Rejected Films, From Predator to Zombies

Many actors in the film have since moved on, such as the president Vladimir Zelensky. During this time, Jean Claude Van Damme A clip from Ukraine’s Defense Ministry was seen thanking his native Belgium for its support in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Vladimir Zelensky International symbol of resistance.