Director Mabrouk El Mechri, a native of Versailles (a Parisian suburb whose name is believed to come from the Latin “versare” or, “to keep turning over”) brings an interesting turning of the soil for Belgian action legend Jean Claude Van Damme in what I deem one of the most interesting films to come to the International Toronto Film Festival in 2008.

Taking its title from the action-hero’s initials, the film is a biopic-cum-Michel Gondry-esque examination of Jean Claude’s here-and-now – that is, dealing with the downward spiral of his career and how he has to manage it.  Feeling the pinch of a string of direct-to-DVD releases, a custody battle over his daughter and a greedy agent, Van Damme returns home to Brussels where his star has not yet completely faded.  All the documentary of his life shifts into Being John Malkovich mode, however, when he happens upon a bank heist that requires him to resurrect his combat moves and flings the story in a whole new direction.

Audacious, self-spoofing, and utterly courageous, this fascinating twister of a pitch makes a handsome opener for the Midnight Madness programme of which I am a stalwart fan.

Showtimes:

Thursday September 04    11:59PM     RYERSON
Friday September 05    03:15PM    SCOTIABANK THEATRE 1