Two Golden Globes for Dutch director Paul Verhoeven's film Elle

French language film Elle by Dutch director Paul Verhoeven won two Golden Globes on Sunday. It won the prize in the category of best foreign film and leading actress Isabelle Huppert won the best actress prize, the Volkskrant reports.

Elle is a psychological thriller based on Philippe Djian's novel Oh. The story is about a woman's hunt for the man who raped her in her home in Paris.

In his acceptance speech Verhoeven said that he was somewhat surprised by the win given the controversial theme of the movie. He thanked the Golden Globes jury for "being so open-minded". A few weeks ago there was some controversy when it became apparent that Elle did not make the short list for the Oscars, despite the movie's success.

Both in his acceptance speech and in interviews afterward, Verhoeven praised his leading lady Isabelle Huppert, saying that 80 percent of Elle's success can be laid at her feet. "In the center of it all is Isabell Huppert", he said, calling working with her a "wonderful experience". "Thank you for everything. Thankk you for your talent. Thank you for your audacity and thank you for the authenticity of your performance. You are wonderful, and I love you, and I love you and I love you", the Dutch director said, according to Deadline.

The 78-year-old Dutch director beat, among others, German comedy Toni Erdmann and Iranian film The Salesman.