November 11 to January 13

In TIFF’s new ongoing seasonal series, VERSUS, audiences cast their vote to celebrate what film culture is all about: bloody, glorious victory and pathetic, ignominious defeat. In each edition, we pit two cinematic rivals against each other, screening a selections of films from each to give both of them a chance to show their mettle. After each screening, audiences vote for the combatant of their choice—at the end of the season, the ballots are counted and a winner proclaimed, with a triumphant showing of one of their previously unscreened classics.

To inaugurate this arena of cinematic combat, we present a knock-down, drag-out, no-holds-barred contest between two heavyweights of the action genre: Jean-Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal. Get ready for some high kicks, snapped forearms, and groin-punishing splits as we trace these twin icons’ two-decade journey from hard-bodied to haggard in which we show four classic titles from each of these legends of silver screen. Local film critics Andrew Parker and Calum Marsh will debate the merits of each star at the first screening of the series Bloodsport (1988), as well as introduce each title to offer deeper understanding of Van Damme and Seagal’s respective artistry.

For complete schedule please visit TIFF website