Black Book (Verhoeven, 2006)

We are currently studying the empowering of women in foreign film and the first film chosen was 'Black Book' (Paul Verhoeven, 2006). I was extremely pleased with this decision and enjoyed the film massively.

It is a Dutch film by Paul Verhoeven, a famous Hollywood director, who went home to the Netherlands to create this fast moving action film about WWII. The film is full of whammo moment throughout and I enjoyed analysing this film more than anything. The chocolate and the insulin was weaved into the narrative creatively, the script was well written, narrative is fast moving, use of setting repeatedly creates connections, symbolism made with her necklace and black book are used effectively and characters are well developed. I may say this is as a Film Studies student but the more you watch it the more you realise. We had to watch it during several lessons due to the length and therefore may have missed out on bits and not made certain connections one would have if watched in one go. I think the impact may be greater then. 

The main character is a jewish woman, Rachel Stein (alias Ellis de Vries), which I like because she is empowered throughout, but she also shows independence and various other skills. Her hiding place is bombed in in escape she joins the Resistance. As part of the Resistance she has to seduce Müntze a German SD commander in order to spy on him. In the confusion of lies, loyalty and love Rachel has to fight for her life through the war.

Verhoeven has stated himself that it is obvious that Rachel could not have made it through all these events and still be alive, but the film is based on real events and they had to create one character who got to experience all in order to move the narrative forward. 

Apparently the plot would have surrounded a male character and the role of Rachel would only have been a supporting character but I think the film works very well in surrounding a female lead.

Carice van Houten you may recognise as Melisandre from Game of Thrones. She is a natural brunette, but I think the thick blonde curls in 40's style suits her beautifully. 

The film is in Dutch and German, which does not bother me at all, so unless you truly dislike watching film with subtitles (I would watch it anyways) I highly recommend this film. 10/10