Paul Verhoeven, born in Amsterdam on July 18, 1938, is a Dutch director, screenwriter, and producer, known for his provocative style that combines explicit violence, eroticism, and sharp social satire. After achieving success in his native country with films such as *Turkish Delight* (1973), which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, he moved to Hollywood in the 1980s. There, he directed a series of science fiction and thriller hits that became cult classics, including *RoboCop* (1987), *Total Recall* (1990), and *Starship Troopers* (1997), as well as the controversial erotic thriller *Basic Instinct* (1992). He subsequently returned to work in Europe, receiving widespread critical acclaim for films such as the war drama *Black Book* (2006) and especially *Elle* (2016). The latter film earned him numerous international awards, including the Golden Globe and the César Award for Best Film, consolidating his reputation as an influential and uncompromising auteur in world cinema.