16/07/2025
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Rob Houwer. For decades, Atlas International had the honor of representing and distributing Rob's remarkable films around the globe, including classics such as Turkish Delight, Soldier of Orange, Katie Tippel, and The Fourth Man. We took immense pride in representing the early works of Paul Verhoeven, which Rob produced. Rob was a prolific producer of iconic films and continued to work on new projects until the end of his life. I recently spoke with him about an exciting new script that we were seeking to finance— a tribute and dark comedy to The Great Dictator, which he viewed as a significant project reflecting his belief that we must be cautious of the political trajectory of our times. He wanted to ensure that all his "kids" were taken care of and often mentioned the need to tidy up his desk, acknowledging that life is finite.With an extraordinary track record of producing influential films, Rob was a visionary who never shied away from pursuing his ideas. His sharp wit and good humor were infectious, and he never took himself too seriously. Rob played a pivotal role in nurturing the careers of countless directors and actors in both Germany (Munich) and the Netherlands. He also collaborated with notable talents such as Volker Schlöndorf, Michael Verhoeven, Gerard Soeteman, Jean van de Velde and Peter Fleischmann. Rob felt a deep disappointment when no German television station expressed interest in airing O.K., a project that had caused a major scandal at the Berlinale in 1970, even halting the festival itself. This in memory of the death of its director Michael Verhoeven. His commitment to producing documentaries also highlighted his passion for storytelling and social issues. Rob's passing is a significant loss for the European film industry. We hope his films continue to inspire future generations of filmmakers. I can only imagine that he is now sharing his wit and charm in the afterlife, just as he did with us. Rob het was mooi je te kennen. Rest in peace.