The renowned Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven celebrates 86 today
Paul Verhoeven’s career is marked by a fearless exploration of controversial subjects, blending commercial appeal with thought-provoking content. His first major American film was “RoboCop” in 1987 and in 1992, Verhoeven directed “Basic Instinct,” the iconic provocative thriller starring Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas
The renowned Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven celebrates 86 today
Paul Verhoeven, the renowned Dutch filmmaker, was born on July 18, 1938, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Growing up during World War II in The Hague, he experienced the hardships of the German occupation, which later influenced his filmmaking with themes of violence and morality.
Verhoeven’s interest in film was sparked during his time at the University of Leiden, where he studied mathematics and physics. However, his passion for storytelling led him to the Netherlands Film Academy, where he graduated in 1960. His early work included directing documentaries and TV series for the Dutch network VPRO. His first significant success came with the TV series “Floris” (1969), a medieval action-adventure that starred Rutger Hauer.
In 1971, Verhoeven made his feature film debut with “Business is Business,” a comedy about prostitution. This was followed by the critically acclaimed “Turkish Delight” (1973), a romantic drama also starring Rutger Hauer, which won international recognition and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
The success of his early films paved the way for Verhoeven’s move to Hollywood in the 1980s. His first major American film was “RoboCop” (1987), a satirical science fiction film that became a box office hit and garnered a cult following. He followed this with “Total Recall” (1990), starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, another commercial success.
In 1992, Verhoeven directed “Basic Instinct,” a provocative thriller starring Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas. The film was controversial for its explicit content but was a financial success and cemented Verhoeven’s reputation for pushing boundaries. His next projects included “Showgirls” (1995), which, despite initial negative reviews, has since gained a cult status, and “Starship Troopers” (1997), a satirical take on militarism and fascism.
After returning to Europe, Verhoeven continued to direct critically acclaimed films such as “Black Book” (2006), a World War II thriller, and “Elle” (2016), which won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film and earned its lead actress, Isabelle Huppert, an Academy Award nomination.
In recent years, Paul Verhoeven has continued to work on innovative projects. His film “Benedetta” (2021), a historical drama about a 17th-century lesbian nun, sparked controversy and debate, a testament to Verhoeven’s enduring ability to provoke and challenge audiences.
Verhoeven’s personal life has largely remained private. He is married to Martine Tours, with whom he has two daughters. Known for his intellectual approach to filmmaking, Verhoeven has also authored books and articles on cinema.
Watch Paul Verhoeven talking about his rich, varied and risk-taking movies at a 60th BFI London Film Festival Screen Talk
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