DUBAI, 19 June 2006 — Martial-arts movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme hailed Dubai’s ambitious strategy of setting up clusters like Dubai Studio City for developing the region’s media and entertainment industry.
“I am glad Dubai has taken the courageous decision to build a comprehensive city dedicated to cinema, television and music production. It will definitely help these industries grow and flourish,” said Van Damme.
“I am looking forward to returning to Dubai for a location shoot,” he added.
Van Damme’s encouraging remarks came during a meeting with Jamal Al-Sharif, Director of Dubai Studio City. Substantiating Dubai’s reputation as a cultural bridge for the east and west, the meeting saw the coming together of Van Damme and renowned Hollywood producer, Ashok Amritraj, after more than a decade.
Amritraj’s association with Jean-Claude Van Damme is well known as producer of the breakout action adventure picture, Double Impact that was released by Columbia Pictures and became one of the most successful films of 1991 with returns exceeding $100 million.
