Film: Verhoeven's Zwartboek will get made!

Overcoming 15 years (!) of problems with regards to the script, funding of the film and the medical problems of Verhoeven just last year, it is now guaranteed: Zwartboek (Blackbook) WILL get made, finally! Straight from the horse's mouth - Paul Verhoeven and producer San Fu Maltha - stated that the financing and all other problems are solved and the film will definitely be made. At the Cannes Film Festival both have confirmed this. Shooting will start end of August with a budget of approximately $20 million.

Plot of the (over 2 hour) movie: Barely escaping a Nazi massacre in the fall of 1944, young and beautiful Rachel Steinn – Jewish, former revue star – joins the resistance. But this group is soon shattered by betrayal with Rachel falsely accused as the traitor. Once Holland is liberated in May 1945, Rachel reveals the real traitor and takes her revenge. But will revenge be sweet?

The film will be a Dutch/German/UK co-production, which are also the languages spoken in the movie (the real languages of the characters, so no Germ-English accents). The lead characters will be played by several Dutch quality actors like Carice van Houten (Rachel Steinn), Halina Reijn and Thom Hoffman.

Great news for the Dutch film industry and for movielovers in general. Personally I think Verhoeven is a great director who's strongest point is social criticism. because this is a project that he's been trying to get made for so long, I'm really exciting to see how it will turn out.

More info: official film site / dutch production company.