With his English-language musical drama Torch Song, Jeroen Houben has created a film in which he has managed all creative aspects himself. The film, which premiered at the Netherlands Film Festival and won the Dutch Film Critics Award, tells the story of American pop singer Liz who moves in with her half-brother Gabe and his girlfriend Joey in Amsterdam after the death of her mother. This causes tense family relations. Houben, who previously had success with The Matchmaker, opted for a low-cost production in order to retain complete creative freedom. He wrote the screenplay, composed the music and worked closely with editor Lot Rossmark. The film is characterized by a non-linear narrative style and focuses on the complex relationships between the characters.
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