Limburg director Jeroen Hoppen will be shooting his first feature film in English early next year. In Torch Song, we follow a former pop artist who finds her musical inspiration in the Netherlands.

music movie

Torch Song will be a musical about wanting to “watch.” The film traces Liz’s unpredictable life; A former pop star from the United States is avoiding the spotlight as much as possible these days. When she travels to the Netherlands to visit her estranged half-brother, she finds new inspiration in an unexpected corner.

“Growing up in the Limburg countryside as a boy, the world of entertainment and fame couldn’t seem far away. Pop idols were intangible, and that psychological distance really fascinated me tremendously. My childhood played an important role in writing this movie, because I really wanted to capture this perspective,” says the director.

The film is inspired by the phenomenon of pop stars temporarily withdrawn from the public eye, such as Marvin Gaye, who trades troubled Los Angeles for the Ostend Coast, in order to regain her power. Jeroen takes the opportunity to express all his talents; In addition to the script and directing, he will also compose the film’s music.

About the manufacturer

Jeroen Hoppen was born and raised in Helen. After studying at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam, he made a name for himself through several short films that won international awards. In 2018, Jeroen presented the feature film De Matchmaker with Benja Bruijning, Ariane Schluter and Georgina Verbaan, which achieved Golden Film status with more than 100,000 cinema visitors. The Song of the Torch will be a new chapter for Leroen; It is the first feature film he has written and directed.

crowdfunding campaign

Torch Song will be recorded in early 2022. A campaign is currently running via crowdfunding platform Voordekunst. Music plays an important role in the movie and the directors are looking for the last bit of funding to properly record the movie’s music. You can support Jeroen and the movie by making a donation through Voordekunst.

The film is produced by Family Affair Films and is supported by the Dutch Film Fund, Dutch Film Incentives and the Amsterdam Arts Fund. Gusto Entertainment is distributing the film in theaters.