Born in Paris on 25.6.1932, where he studied from 1954-56, subsequently working as assistant director. In 1961 he won the Silver Bear for the Dutch short, "De Lage Landen". His 1972 debut as a feature film director, "João", screened in Competition at the Berlinale. In 1988 he scored an international theatrical hit with "Spoorloos" ("The Vanishing"); this was followed in 1993 by the Hollywood remake "The Vanishing". His most recent production was an adaptation of a novel by Nobel Peace Prize laureate José Saramago.

Source: 61. Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin (Catalogue)