Zijn Boek Wat Zien Ik? is a Dutch novel written by Albert Mol and published in 1965. The novel tells the story of a group of prostitutes working in Amsterdam’s red-light district. It explores their relationships, struggles, and the day-to-day life of the women working in the sex industry.
In 1971, the novel was adapted into a film by renowned Dutch director Paul Verhoeven. The film, also titled Wat Zien Ik?, was a groundbreaking work that shocked audiences with its raw and explicit portrayal of the lives of prostitutes. It was one of the first Dutch films to openly discuss and depict the realities of the sex industry.
The film was a critical and commercial success, winning several awards and becoming a cult classic in the Netherlands. Verhoeven’s direction was praised for its boldness and honesty, while the performances of the cast, which included actors like Ronnie Bierman and Sylvia de Leur, were lauded for their authenticity.
Wat Zien Ik? was a controversial film that sparked debates about the representation of sex work in cinema. Some critics accused it of glamorizing and sensationalizing the lives of prostitutes, while others praised it for shedding light on a marginalized community and giving a voice to women working in the sex industry.
Despite the controversy, Wat Zien Ik? remains a significant work in Dutch cinema history. It challenged societal norms and pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in film at the time. Verhoeven’s adaptation of Zijn Boek Wat Zien Ik? was a bold and daring exploration of a taboo subject, and it continues to be remembered and celebrated for its groundbreaking approach to storytelling.