"Basic Instinct" director Paul Verhoeven's movie "Black Book", a World War II spy thriller, is to premiere in China on February 3rd.

A poster of "Black Book"

This is the first time one of Verhoeven's films will appear on Chinese cinema screens although his name has been known to Chinese movie fans for decades.

The Hollywood-based director established his trademark style with explicitly violent and sexual scenes in both his drama and science fiction films. The Dutchman established his reputation in Hollywood with sci-fi hits 'RoboCop' in 1987 and 'Total Recall', starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, in 1990. He rose to international fame in 1992 with the controversial thriller "Basic Instinct" which also shoot American actress Sharon Stone to stardom.

After a few more forays into the science fiction theme with 'Starship Troopers' in 1997 and 'Hollow Man' in 2000, Paul Verhoeven returned to his European roots with 'Black Book' in 2006. Based on true historical facts, 'Black Book' tells the story of a Jewish Dutch woman, who survived the holocaust and then infiltrated Nazi headquarters as a spy to exact revenge.

Although controversial due to its seductive scenes, "Black Book" managed to rake in nearly 100 million dollars across the globe, prompting Verhoeven to shoot the film's sequel.

In "Black Book 2" Verhoeven will centre on the 30,000 Jewish refugees who sought sanctuary in Shanghai during World War II with a Chinese actress expected to play the lead female role.

(CRI February 3, 2009)