Director Anne de Clercq and writer Myrthe van der Meer are developing a television series together based on the novel PAAZ.

In October 2012, the novel PAAZ by Myrthe van der Meer was published. PAAZ is a semi-autobiographical novel about a young woman who is admitted to a psychiatric institution following a burnout. She expects to be out in a few days, but those few days turn into five months. The events at the PAAZ are often deeply sad, but sometimes also extraordinarily funny. But throughout, you feel the author's strength and ability to keep her head above water through self-mockery in very difficult circumstances. That is admirable, and it is that balance that makes PAAZ a remarkable book.

Within three months, nearly 10,000 copies of PAAZ were sold and the novel entered the CPNB bestseller top 60. All this did not go unnoticed in the television world. Through a collaboration between Sebes & Van Gelderen literary agency and film agency Henneman Agency, director Anne de Clercq (Feuten, S1ngle, De co-assistent, Floor
Faber) and writer Myrthe van der Meer in conversation. And not without success. The ladies have since decided to collaborate on the development of a television series based on the book PAAZ. Van der Meer and De Clercq will start developing the series in January 2013.

Anne de Clercq on the collaboration: 'When I was reading the book, I knew immediately that I wanted to do something with it: the Netherlands is ready for a series about this important subject. Myrthe and I have already been in contact several times. We will start developing the series in January. I am really looking forward to working with her.'

Myrthe van der Meer: 'It is wonderful to take a step forward with PAAZ. Apparently, the book touched a lot of people, and I am very happy about that. I wouldn't have dared to dream that this would happen so quickly, but I am really looking forward to the sequel.' Van der Meer cannot yet reveal much about her involvement in writing the series: 'I will remain involved in the development in any case. Perhaps as a writer, in any event as an advisor. Time will tell what the exact details will be.'



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