Director Paul Verhoeven is to receive the Holland's most prestigious national film award, the Bert Haanstra Oeuvre-prize.

The award, to be given for the fourth time, comes with a 45,000 Euros purse.

The award jury, presided over by former minister Hans van Mierlo, said that Verhoeven is a director who is able to provoke and entertain his audience and always aims at emotions. 'He is appreciated for his controversy', concluded the jury, which included Verhoevens' favorite Dutch actress, Monique van de Ven (Turkish Delight).

The award will be presented to Verhoeven on March 30 in Amsterdam.

Verhoeven is currently working on several projects and will most likely start shooting at the end of this year a Dutch wartime-tale called Blackbook (Zwartboek).