Biographie

Rob Houwer was a Dutch film producer who had success in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s with films by directors such as Volker Schlöndorff and Paul Verhoeven.

Produced three movies considered among the worst in Dutch cinema: De gulle minnaar (1990), De zeemeerman (1996) and Het woeden der gehele wereld (2006). However, he also produced two of Dutch cinema's finest: Turkish délices (1973) and Erik's Heroes (1977).

Frequently collaborated with Paul Verhoeven and produced most of his Dutch movies. However, they shared a very antagonistic relationship that came to a definitive end in 1983. Houwer never quite enjoyed the artistic and commercial successes he had during the Verhoeven years.

Upon his return to the Netherlands in 1971, he frequently collaborated with Paul Verhoeven. In 1973, "Turkish Delight" was nominated for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film at the 46th Academy Awards and "Soldier of Orange" received the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Foreign Film in 1979 and was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film.

In February 1962, he was one of the ten co-founders of the Oberhausen Manifesto, a pivotal declaration that laid the foundation for the 'new German film'.