 Martial Edge talks exclusively to athlete turned actor Sebastien Foucan, the founder of ‘free-running’, which shares a similar philosophical approach to the martial arts. And Foucan takes his art form very seriously, as Ben Johnson discoversHalf way through our interview with Sebastien Foucan, he tells me not to refer to his art form as ‘Parkour’. Instead, it is ‘free running’.  Parkour is the name associated with the creations of David Belle, who Foucan spent most of his Parisian childhood with, creating the movements that would later define both of their careers. Parkour utilises local environments as playgrounds for public demonstrations of athletic acrobatics and extreme stunts, but the discipline follows traditional movements and trademarked rudiments. Since his separation from Belle’s Parkour interpretation, Foucan argues that ‘free running’ is much more about a liberating experience centered on free expression – it is an art form, he tells me, with a deep philosophical background steeped in the mystic traditions which govern the Oriental arts. Foucan links free running with the martial arts because, put simply, the two share very similar principals: on both an athletic, conditioned and body fitness level, but also through its linkage to Asian philosophy. He once told the Metro UK newspaper that “it’s all about combating negative energy. It’s hard to talk about the philosophy – it’s easier just to start doing it. Just by participating, you’ll feel it. It’s about trying to be in connection with your body, your spirit and your environment.”
Perhaps the best demonstration of ‘free running’ was expressed in Foucan’s gripping TV work – firstly the ravishing Jump London documentary, followed by Jump Britain. The sight of Foucan leaping from the roof of Wembley stadium through cargo ships and some of London’s most recognisable monuments is a sight of spellbinding proportions, and best encapsulates the spirit and splendor of Foucan’s expressive visual art form. So much so that it was not long until Foucan was picked up by TV and ad campaigns across the globe, leading to a guest appearance as a Bond villain in Casino Royale, performing a fantastic chase scene through a building site in the Bahamas.
It was the big screen that combined ‘free running’ and the athletic movements of Parkour with the martial arts, through films like Casino Royale which links free running with fight action and extreme stunt work. But it was the French action film District 13, starring David Belle, which first combined the French art form’s balletic stunt work with violent combative movements. Foucan discards the notion of Parkour as a means of ‘avoiding obstacles’ and prefers to highlight the expressive benefits of ‘free running’ as a process of ‘self development.’
Foucan’s movements are hypnotizing, poetic even, and it seems that some of the world’s biggest stars are just as transfixed. He has recently worked with Madonna on tour and has also been involved in two of her music videos, while he is still appearing in more and more films. He tells me that he’s “playing another bad guy” in a film called The Tournament, starring Ving Rhames and Robert Carlyle, and looks set to spread the word of ‘free running’ to bigger and wider audiences.
But his art form is often regarded by many as an extreme sport, and some critics have considered his style as ‘dangerous’ – but does he feel responsible for any injuries that his art form may have caused to anybody who tries to replicate his movements? He tells me that he feels proud that people have been encouraged to express themselves, but that people need to take care. Perhaps through greater exposure to the philosophical understanding of free running, he says, people will learn to develop not only the physical side of their self expression, but also expand on their mental capabilities, thus furthering the true meaning of this exotic, vibrant art form.
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By: Jason Dainter (Registered IP 79.75.196.63) on 15-12-2007 13:54
This definition was spoken from the mouth of Foucan himself, being the founder of free running, I would say surely its entirely up to Foucan how he decides to define his own style, is it not?
Food for thought....
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