House of Van Damme at Chapeltown Picture House

Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor

Book now

House of Van Damme

Cultplex, Manchester
19 November 2022

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Chapeltown Picture House
Book now

The Muscles from Brussels is back on the big screen this month thanks to Chapeltown Picture House who have dedicated a whole day to the films of one Mr. Jean-Claude Van Damme. An action icon thanks to his work in the late-80s and early-90s, the Belgian tough guy is being honoured with a three film marathon that promises plenty of explosive action, bad puns and unnecessary leg splits.

House of Van Damme kicks off with the star’s role as mercenary Gibson Rickenbacker in 1989’s cult cyberpunk thriller Cyborg. That’s before John Woo’s 1993 US debut, Hard Target, which sees JCVD play an out-of-work homeless Cajun merchant seaman (there aren’t many of those across cinema history) in a film loosely based on Richard Connell’s famed short story The Most Dangerous Game.

The marathon ends at the beginning, with Jean-Claude’s breakout role in 1988’s Bloodsport. Centred on a underground martial arts tournament in Hong Kong, the film launched Van Damme to mainstream action stardom, as the sweat-and-blood soaked spectacle earned a cult following.

What's on at Cultplex

Until
CinemaManchester
YANK at Cultplex

Thirteen movies to get to know the United States of America. Cultplex presents a season of film exploring America through its own lens.

From £7.50
Star Nhà Ease
Until
CinemaManchester
Star Nhà Ease at Cultplex

Following its acclaimed debut in 2024, Star Nhà Ease, the UK’s only curated season celebrating Vietnamese cinema, arrives at Manchester’s Cultplex.

From £7.50

Where to go near House of Van Damme at Chapeltown Picture House

Cheetham Hill
Restaurant
Osaka Local

Wonderful Japanese street food vendor, often found at Grub and other street food events in and around Manchester and the North.

tours and activities guide
Cheetham Hill
Manchester Three Rivers Gin Distillery

Join the Gin renaissance with Manchester Three Rivers, a gin distillery situated in the heart of the Green Quarter making some fantastic gin as well as inviting people to get up close to the distillation process.

Manchester
Restaurant
Fairfield Social Club

Fairfield Social Club is a multi-purpose site next to Angel Meadows Park in the Green Quarter, ran by the team behind the much-loved Grub,.

Popup Bikes
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Popup Bikes

Independently-run coffee shop and bike repair shop on the edge of the Green Quarter in Manchester.

Manchester
Event venue
Partisan

Partisan is a Manchester-based collective and volunteer-run space for independent, community led, DIY and cultural based projects. They have two floors for events, meetings, office space, live music, club nights, and art.

Salford
Gallery
1520 Studios

1520 Studios is bigger than a film and photography studio, also functioning as an event space and community hub.

Cheetham Hill
The Yard

New creative hub The Yard is home to a great little music venue, which tends to attract future-leaning electronic artists.

The exterior of The Pilcrow
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Sadler’s Cat

The Pilcrow is now Sadler’s Cat, a contemporary community pub at the heart of the NOMA neighbourhood. Overlooking Sadler’s Yard.

What's on: Cinema

Two young women dance in a nightclub, smiling next to each other.
CinemaManchester
The Last Days of Disco + Q&A at HOME

Director Whit Stillman presents a 35mm screenings of one of the best films of the nineties, as a group of twenty-somethings navigate The Last Days of Disco.

From £7.95
Until
CinemaManchester
YANK at Cultplex

Thirteen movies to get to know the United States of America. Cultplex presents a season of film exploring America through its own lens.

From £7.50

Culture Guides

Star Nhà Ease
Cinema in the North

July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.

Exhibitions in the North

Captivating, urgent and intimate - we bring you our top exhibition picks, with even more art festivals, artist-led shows and new venues.

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre in the North

Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.

European Poetry Festival European Camarade
Literature Events in the North

From tongue-twisters to twisty page-turners, we have all kinds of spoken word surprises in the latest literature round-up.