In a rare pre-sale of aDutch-language film, Pathe has picked up French, Swiss and Belgian rights toPaul Verhoeven's forthcoming wartime drama Black Book.

The sales arranged by producer San Fu Maltha and salesagent Katapult Films, are understood to have been critical to the financing ofthe $15m (Euros12m).

Structured as a Netherlands-Germany-UK co-production BlackBook is produced by Fu Works, Hector Films and Motel Film from Holland,Egoli Tossell for Germany and from the UK Teun Hilte's Clockwork Pictures andTartan Films.

The 1944-45 story is that of a Jewish girl whoinfiltrates the Nazi networks and will be Verhoeven's first European picturefor over 20 years. It will shoot in Dutch, German and English withaward-winning actress Carice van Houten and Halina Reijn in the starring roles.It is set to shoot from Nov 1 in The Hague and Berlin.

Other finance is to come from a UK sales and leasebackstructure arranged through Future Film Group, the Dutch CoBo-Fund, the Dutchfilm fund and a tax fund that FuWorks is now structuring.