Dutch Boxoffice Hit ‘The Henineken Kidnapping’ Starring Rutger Hauer to Get U.S. Release

Dutch box-office hit “The Henineken Kidnapping” will get a US release via MPI Media Group, which has acquired North American rights. MPI plans a fall release. 

Directed by Maarten Treurniet, “The Henineken Kidnapping” is based on a true story and stars Rutger Hauer as brewer Alfred Heineken. Here’s the official description: 

Alfred Heineken in 1983 was one of the world’s most successful brewers and perhaps the most influential man in the Netherlands – and thus a target for kidnappers. He is snatched by a team of inexperienced, hotheaded young criminals and is held for 21 grueling days in a cold, cramped cell. Rendered powerless for the first time in his life, Heineken finds himself at the mercy of the gang’s youngest member, who takes special pleasure in humiliating and frightening the business magnate. When the huge ransom is finally paid, Heineken is set free – and begins to plot his elaborate revenge.

One of the kidnappers, Willem Holleeder, filed a motion to block the film’s release. He was overruled.

Producers are Frans van Gestel, Arnold Heslenfeld and Richard Claus. It was written by Treurniet and Kees van Beijnum.

The North American distribution deal was negotiated by Greg Newman, Executive Vice President of MPI Media Group, and Stefanie Zeitler of Global Screen, the world sales unit of Bavaria Film and Telepool.

Here’s the trailer: