Search Results - Verhoeven, Paul

Paul Verhoeven

Paul Verhoeven (; born 18 July 1938) is a Dutch filmmaker. Many of his films are provocative, and were controversial when released, critiquing societal norms, either by intentionally breaking taboos, and or including social satire. Verhoeven's films are also often confrontational, deliberately showing sexual or violent content graphically, without holding back.

After receiving attention for the TV series ''Floris'' in his native Netherlands, Verhoeven's breakthrough film was the romantic drama ''Turkish Delight'' (1973), starring frequent collaborator Rutger Hauer. Verhoeven later directed successful Dutch films including the period drama centered around a hooker ''Keetje Tippel'' (1975), the World War II film ''Soldier of Orange'' (1977), the adolescent drama ''Spetters'' (1980) and the psychological thriller ''The Fourth Man'' (1983).

In 1985, Verhoeven made his first Hollywood film ''Flesh and Blood'' and later had a successful career in the United States, directing science fiction films such as ''RoboCop'' (1987), ''Total Recall'' (1990), ''Starship Troopers'' (1997) and ''Hollow Man'' (2000), as well as the erotic thriller ''Basic Instinct'' (1992). He also directed the 1995 film ''Showgirls,'' which was critically panned on initial release but has developed a cult following and undergone critical re-evaluation.

Verhoeven later returned to Europe, making the Dutch war film ''Black Book'' (2006), French psychological thriller ''Elle'' (2016) and the religious drama ''Benedetta'' (2021), all receiving positive reviews. ''Black Book'' and ''Elle'' were both nominated for BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language and ''Elle'' won Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film and César Award for Best Film. ''Black Book'' was also voted by the Dutch public, in 2008, as the best Dutch film ever made. Verhoeven's films have received a total of nine Academy Award nominations, mainly for editing and effects. Provided by Wikipedia