"I think every artist has to have a certain amount of fear," he said. "If you don't have any fear, then you're not taking any risks. And if you're not taking any risks, then you're not really creating anything new."
Verhoeven believes that fear is essential for pushing boundaries and exploring new territory in filmmaking. "If I make a film, and I'm not scared of it, then I know I'm not doing something right," he said. "I want to make films that are provocative and challenging. I want to make films that make people think."
But Verhoeven also believes that filmmakers must also embrace their films. "You have to love your films," he said. "You have to be passionate about them. If you don't love your films, then no one else will."
Verhoeven's films have often been met with controversy and criticism, but he has never shied away from defending his work. "I don't care what anyone says about my films," he said. "I make films that I believe in, and I'm proud of them all."
Verhoeven's advice to filmmakers is to embrace their fears and their love of filmmaking. "If you have a passion for filmmaking," he said, "then you have to be willing to take risks. You have to be willing to push boundaries and explore new territory. And you have to be willing to face criticism. But if you're true to yourself, and you make films that you believe in, then you can create something truly special."