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Director Paul Verhoeven's Movie Black Book Gets U.S. Distributor

September 21, 2006
by Alex Billington

About a month back we posted a Dutch-language trailer for Starship Troopers director Paul Verhoeven's new film Zwartboek, also known in English as, Black Book. At the time, the movie didn't have a U.S. distributor and was doomed to never get far out of Europe. Fortunately that has changed, as Sony Pictures Classics has acquired the rights to the film.

Black Book is a WWII story about a German Jewish girl who narrowly survives the war in Holland. She joins the resistance to find out who betrayed her family after all of them were killed in an attempt to reach the liberated south. It has already won awards in The Netherlands and at the Venice International Film Festival. In addition it was chosen by The Netherlands for their entry in the 2006 Academy Awards.

Sony Pictures Classics had this to say about the acquisition:

"This is a feast of a film. Paul Verhoeven has gone back to his roots to create a film as brilliantly executed as it is entertaining. 'Black Book' is bold and emotional and colorful and exciting. We have wanted to release one of his movies ever since the days of 'Soldier of Orange' and 'The Fourth Man.' In our estimation 'Black Book' is his best film. The production values and thrills this film provides is not only a tribute to the skills of one of the world's great filmmakers, but also a testament to the work of his courageous producer San Fu Maltha."

That's just about the most glowing statement I've ever heard from a distributor. Sounds all good to me - can't wait for its release.

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Reader Feedback - 3 Comments »

1

I've spoken to Paul several times. He is a very passionate man and despite the luke warm reviews, his passion in Black Book comes through on the screen as it always does.

2 Live Fools.com on Apr 24, 2007

2

It's hard to overstate what a superb film "Black Book" is. Thanks to
the excellent reviews the Chicago papers gave it, I sauntered off to
see it without my wife who foolishly dismissed it as "another Holocaust
film" (that's as off-base as calling "Freedom Writers" "another school
teacher inspirational film). After being blown away by "Black Book," it
was easy to persuade my wife to see it a week later — and she too was
blown away. You're best off not knowing much of the plot — this film
takes twists and turns that amaze and astound. The less you know about
it, the better. Let's just say that the writing, plotting, direction,
and acting are all top notch — better than any other film I've seen
all year. No scene is wasted. "Black Book" is one of those films where
something that happens early on comes back as an important plot point
later in the film. So while you're enjoying this wild roller-coaster
emotional ride, pay attention to the details and what people say –
because not a word is wasted.

"Black Book" is simply film making at its best. There are some darn
good reasons that "Black Book" is still playing (July 2007) in several Chicago
theaters nearly 4 months after its release.

Daniel Lauber on Jul 9, 2007

3

pruning I never and climb my misguided with whatever caught it well sweet,

hometreemail on Feb 4, 2008

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