The Verhoeven Interviews - Part 3

This is a 5 part interview I conducted with Paul Verhoeven on his life as a director, and his latest film Black Book (Zwartboek). A rare and candid look inside the mind of one of Hollywood's great directors.

Yes, I did the camera, the lighting and the interview. No one else was shooting video that day.

Part 1: Advice for young filmmakers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAjkNgdg4yI

Part 2: "Filmmaking Is Hell"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYGHODwfqk4

Part 3: What stories would you tell if you were starting out today?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw3uAtguDVo

Part 4: Memories of World War 2 from his childhood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIRjfuftKs8

Part 5: The film opens and closes in 1956 in Israel, why?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6kfNts5894

Enjoy! Please post your comments.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Paul
• Verhoeven
• interview
• director
• hollywood
• Black
• Book
• Robocop
• Starship
• Troopers
• Zwartboek
• Soldaat
• van
• Oranje

[Olphus]

It's very common for Europeans to read and write more than one language in comparison to Americans.

[DoubleTalkingJive]

I feel your paint zenbeer. I've worked on EPK's and always got the "20 MINUTES!" rule from agents and managers. But what's great about Verhoeven is that he's a speed-racing talker from the word go. Most actors and (sometimes) directors you talk to don't even warm up until like 10 minutes in, at which point you're screwed and have NO soundbytes. But Verhoeven gets a wealth of information out in a such short time. Nothing better than a 20-minute interview with an hour's worth of stories and info.

[sixamsedna]

Because of Verhoeven I've been inspired to learn Dutch.

[MetallicBill]

@DoubleTalkingJive EPKs are good, but for LaserDisc, alot had to be found to include, now they can anticipate what might go on the home release, as they shoot the theatrical version. Commentaries are largely very interesting in nature, often funny, but you'll note each director might see it a certain way, in one instance, the narrating director was more caught up watching the film in the recording session, then he was talking about it as it played! That was a bit of a disappointment for me

[MetallicBill]

I distinctly remember the opening in Total Recall where an innocent bystander was used by Arnold, escaping, as a human shield, after I believe, the person was shot (dead) Critics were up in arms about the violence in this scene, among others, here in this interview, Paul seems to suggest the characters values, good or bad, but in a scene like that bloody shoot out, it's more visceral thrills, rather then feeling bad for the poor guy who not only gets shot but is turned to swiss cheese soon after

[MrDavidFeldmann]

Paul Verhoeven has done such great things despite the constraints of the Hollywood industry. He clearly has plenty of integrity when it comes to incorporating social commentary in his films.

[zenbeer]

I did a few EPKs and promotional videos for Current TV which were never aired, but established a good working relationship with the P.R. firm. My contact liked my work on Jesus Camp, so she set up a 1 on 1 interview with Verhoeven and myself aside from the typical canned press junket.

[kryptonitebullet179]

I wish! I don't have the programs to copy it. If I ever do in the future, I'll im you

[zenbeer]

I caught the jist of it. LOL!

[DoubleTalkingJive]

LOL the above should read: "I feel your PAIN". My bad...

[kryptonitebullet179]

He's also great to listen to on the Total Recall DVD (both audio commentary and on the featurettes)