Actor Jean-Claude van Damme wants to bring an international film festival to Canberra

THE Muscles from Brussels was in Canberra today, rubbing shoulders with some of our country’s most powerful politicians, to pitch his big idea for Australia. And he hopes to entice US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to come Down Under if his idea was to happen.

DAMME, that’s a good idea! From Cannes to Canberra, action movie star Jean-Claude van Damme believes the nation’s capital would be the perfect place for an international film festival and is doing everything in his power to make it happen.

The Belgian movie star, nicknamed The Muscles from Brussels, has been in Australia scouting movie locations for two upcoming films.

Jean-Claude van Damme snuck into Sydney to scout film locations and attended the Budget lunch today. Picture Rohan Kelly.

Van Damme pitching the idea to Foreign Minister Julie Bishop at the Budget lunch. Picture: AAP Image/Peter Rae

The pair appeared to get on like a house on fire. Picture: AAP Image/Peter Rae

Speaking to Confidential, the 57-year-old said his overall dream was to establish an action movie festival in Canberra, and the upcoming films are just a stepping stone.

“Why shouldn’t Australia have a big international film festival to rival Cannes? Why not have an artistic reunion in the capital. I think it would help ease political tensions,” he said.

Van Damme added he’s friendly with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putinand believes they would journey to Australia for such a festival.

He is friendly with US President Donald Trump. Picture: AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

He believes he can also entice the Russian President, Vladimir Putin to attend the event in Canberra. Picture: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

He pitched his idea to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnball and Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop at the PM’s budget lunch at the Sofitel Wentworth today.

“I liked the way Mr. Turnbull is trying to protect his country,” Van Damme said.

The actor leaves the country today but will return soon to commence filming on Three Coyotes and Double Action, the movie posters of both can currently be seen along the famous Promenade de la Croisette during the Cannes Film Festival.

Would you like to see an international film festival in Canberra? Picture: Ray Strange

“We are planning to shoot in the mountains in Canberra,” Van Damme said.

“As always, my time in Australia has been great. I’ve been travelling around and lot, driving around a lot, and I can’t wait to come back to Australia.”

HERE’S SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE VAN DAMME MOMENTS

There was the time he did the splits between two moving trucks

Then there was the time he did the greatest dancing sequence in cinema history.

Or the time he fought his final battle after he was blinded by salt.

Then there was the fact that he has twice played his own identical twin in different films.