LFF - Paul Verhoeven shows us his little 'Black Book'

The TOMB thoroughly enjoys the Dutch director's new film and the press conference that follows it.

Oct 26 2006

Paul Verhoeven was in typically verbose and outspoken form yesterday, appearing at the LFF to promote his new film 'Black Book'.

At an intimate press conference, the eccentric helmer discussed Dutch history, American foreign policy and his famously prickly relationship with his female stars ('I think I have always been nice to actors,' he claimed 'and especially actresses').

He also discussed his reasons for turning down 'Basic Instinct 2', which are too long and complicated to list here, but suffice to say he finished up by claiming 'Clearly, I was right'.

Verhoeven is in town to discuss 'Black Book' however, and mercifully the Dutch-made film is a dramatic improvement on his recent Hollywood output (did anyone like 'Hollow Man'?).

Based on true events (though with more than a little embellishment throughout) the film follows the adventures of Rachel Steinn, a young Jewish singer forced into hiding during the Nazi occupation of Holland.

Distraught and enraged by the cold-blooded murder of her parents at the tail-end of the war, Rachel joins the Resistance and embarks on a dangerous mission to infiltrate the upper echelons of the Gestapo.

The beautiful Carice van Houten is a revelation as Rachel, wielding her womanly charms as a weapon every bit as dangerous as the Nazi armoury. And in spite of some outlandish plot twists and outrageous flourishes (Verhoeven can't help but make a couple of pubic hair and dick jokes), 'Black Book' is without doubt the director's best film in years.

Verhoeven also took part in an animated NFT Masterclass last night, while Time Out's Ben Walters conducted an entertaining interview with the Dutch master which will appear online when the film is released in January.

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