Michael Verhoeven's son questions Jan Josef Liefers' "Tatort" role

Simon Verhoeven with qualified criticism of the Liefers "Tatort"

SPOILER ALERT: In the following article, details of the Dortmund "Tatort" episode "Inferno" are revealed.

Verhoeven calls Liefers' "Tatort" role "not good" and "not believable".

Film director Simon Verhoeven (52, "Welcome to Germany") criticized the acting performance of Jan Josef Liefers (58) in the Dortmund "Tatort: Inferno" (first broadcast: November 26). "I watched 'Tatort' yesterday and I didn't understand why Jan Josef Liefers is considered such a good actor," Verhoeven said in an interview with the "RND". He found Liefers' performance as Commissioner Peter Faber "not good" and "not believable".

Verhoeven triggered discussions on social media

The harsh words on Liefers, who has played the role of Commissioner Faber in the Dortmund "Tatort" since 2010, caused discussions on social media. Some users agreed with Verhoeven's criticism, while many also defended Liefers.

Verhoeven: "I just don't like his acting"

When asked if he could understand the criticism of his statement, Verhoeven replied: "I'm an experienced director and I see such things. And I just don't like his acting."

Verhoeven, the son of director Michael Verhoeven (83), made his breakthrough as a director in 2002 with the youth comedy "Girls and Sex". Among other things, he also directed the Kinokomödien "Men in the City" (2009), "Männerherzen ... und die ganz ganz große Liebe" (2011) and "Willkommen bei den Hartmanns" (2016).

Verhoeven has previously criticized German films

Verhoeven has already attracted attention with critical statements about German films. In 2018, he called for a "general strike" in the German film industry. He advocated "rethinking German funding mechanisms" and "more courage to experiment".

In an interview with the "RND", Verhoeven also referred to the recently presented plans for a federal film funding reform. Liefers is a member of the German Film Academy, which played a key role in the reform.

Verhoeven: Liefers has a "certain arrogance"

Verhoeven criticized Liefers' involvement in particular: "I find it very arrogant that the film industry is now changing its structures according to the criticism of someone like Jan Josef Liefers," said Verhoeven.

Liefers has not yet commented on the allegations

Liefers has not yet commented on Verhoeven's criticism. The actor is currently on a promotional tour for his new film "Der Nachname" (cinema release: December 22).

Conclusion

Simon Verhoeven's criticism of Jan Josef Liefers' performance in the Dortmund "Tatort" has sparked discussions on social media. While the film director believes Liefers is not a good actor, many fans defend the "Tatort" star. Liefers is yet to respond to Verhoeven's allegations.