Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Initial Vision & Festival Debut
The project begins with Jean-Claude Van Damme writing, directing, and starring as Frenchy. His children join the cast, and the first cut is screened at Cannes under the title The Eagle Path to attract distributors.
Key Events
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Director Writes Film — Van Damme writes and directs project Characters: Frenchy
Location: Production Studio
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Lead Actor Confirmed — Van Damme stars as protagonist Characters: Frenchy
Location: Casting Room
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Family Cast Added — Van Damme children join cast Characters: Frenchy
Location: Casting Room
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Initial Edit Finished — First cut of film completed Characters: Frenchy
Location: Editing Suite
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2010 Cannes Screening — Screened as The Eagle Path Characters: Frenchy
Location: Cannes Film Festival
Production Overhaul & Renaming
After failing to secure distribution, the production undergoes significant changes in 2012. Additional scenes are shot, the edit is revised, and the film is renamed Soldiers to refresh its market appeal.
Key Events
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2010 Cannes Screening — Screened as The Eagle Path Characters: Frenchy
Location: Cannes Film Festival
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Distributor Search Starts — Team seeks theatrical release Characters: Frenchy
Location: Cannes Market
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Theatrical Goal Set — Primary objective for wide release Characters: Frenchy
Location: Production Office
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Distribution Fails — No company secures the film Characters: Frenchy
Location: Cannes Market
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2012 Reshoots Begin — Additional scenes are filmed Characters: Frenchy
Location: Film Set
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Scenes Added to Cut — New footage integrated into film Characters: Frenchy
Location: Editing Suite
Festival Circuit & Rebranding
Following a two-year gap, a new cut is assembled and renamed Full Love. The film is presented at the 2014 Shanghai International Film Festival, continuing the persistent search for a theatrical distributor.
Key Events
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Scenes Added to Cut — New footage integrated into film Characters: Frenchy
Location: Editing Suite
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Title Changes to Soldiers — Film renamed following reshoots Characters: Frenchy
Location: Production Office
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Two Year Production Gap — Project enters dormant period Characters: Frenchy
Location: Industry Timeline
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New Cut Assembled — Revised version is put together Characters: Frenchy
Location: Editing Suite
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Title Changes to Full Love — Film receives third official title Characters: Frenchy
Location: Production Office
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2014 Shanghai Screening — Shown to distributors under new title Characters: Frenchy
Location: Shanghai International Film Festival
Prolonged Standstill & Unreleased
Van Damme returns to Cannes in 2018 for another unsuccessful distribution attempt. The film is re-edited and renamed Frenchy in 2020, but by 2024 it remains completely unreleased in any format.
Key Events
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2014 Shanghai Screening — Shown to distributors under new title Characters: Frenchy
Location: Shanghai International Film Festival
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Industry Viewing Event — Professionals view the revised cut Characters: Frenchy
Location: Shanghai Festival
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2018 Cannes Return — Director attends festival again Characters: Frenchy
Location: Cannes Film Festival
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Third Distribution Push — Unsuccessful theatrical release attempt Characters: Frenchy
Location: Cannes Market
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2020 Re-edit Completed — Film re-edited and renamed Frenchy Characters: Frenchy
Location: Editing Suite
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2024 Unreleased Status — Film remains completely unreleased Characters: Frenchy
Location: Industry Archive
Military veteran and former mercenary, FRENCHY works as a taxi driver, and hiding in Bangkok, picks up a beautiful female passenger who will change his life forever. When he embarks on a journey to save her he has the fight of his life.