Composer and filmmaker Jeroen Houben will release his musical film Torch Song on September 21, which he not only wrote and directed but also composed the music for. Alongside the film, the soundtrack Torch Song (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) will be released via Snowstar Records, with the first sounds heard in Strangers, accompanied by a music video.
STRANGERS
The song Strangers is sung by Swiss actress Carla Juri, known for Blade Runner 2049 and Wetlands. Her singing was recorded entirely live on set, giving the film and songs remarkable authenticity. In Torch Song, she plays the main character Liz, an eccentric singer from America who comes to the Netherlands to visit her estranged half-brother.
Jeroen Houben: “Strangers was the first song I wrote. Once I had that, I knew which direction to take with the other songs. The lyrics are written from the perspective of a mother trying to protect her child from the big world, from strangers. And that you should choose your friends and loved ones wisely. I imagine Liz writing this song based on the things her mother told her. And now she repeats those words to herself at a crucial turning point in the film.”
Torch Song has been selected by the Dutch Film Festival for the 2024 Gouden Kalf Competition. The film, produced by Family Affair Films, will premiere on September 21 at the Dutch Film Festival and will be released by Gusto Entertainment on January 23, 2025.
JEROEN HOUBEN
Houben’s fascination with cinema began at a young age with the making of short films and animations. Graduated as a graphic designer and filmmaker, he created music videos for artists such as De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig and Ronnie Flex, and wrote and directed several internationally acclaimed short films, including BEST WISHES, HOME SUITE HOME, and GIPS. His feature film DE MATCHMAKER attracted more than 100,000 visitors and earned him a Gouden Film. Besides being a filmmaker, Houben is also a musician and composer, having previously written music for various short films.
‘Strangers (ft. Carla Juri)’ is now available for streaming on all platforms.