EXCLUSIVE: Producer Jonathan Theodore Baker arrives in Cannes with the psychological thriller project Lake Of Torches that marks the English-language debut of Dutch filmmaker and concept artist Didier Konings, whose genre title Heresy premiered in Rotterdam 2024.
Set against the backdrop of the 1990s Seattle grunge scene, Lake Of Torches follows a young band manager touring the Pacific Northwest who starts to unravel when the disturbing visions that tormented his mother bleed into his own reality.
When the man encounters a mysterious organism capable of inducing transcendent hallucinations, he questions whether he is losing his mind or if his mother’s madness was never what it seemed.
Described as Take Shelter meets Mandy with the emotional core of Sound Of Metal, the project is currently in development and carries deep personal significance for the Konings. Didier’s late grandmother struggled with mental instability, while Leah Konings, who makes her feature writing and producing debut, invested her music industry experience from her days as an independent artist who went by Leah Capelle.
“It’s about identity, creativity, the tension between curiosity and fear, and the thin line between inspiration and self-destruction,” said Konings. “For us, it’s about grounding the otherworldly in authenticity – finding a language where the heightened experiences still feel undeniably human.”
Baker of JB Productions will engage with potential co-production, financing, and distribution partners in Cannes and anticipates that principal photography will take place in Washington State.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with both Didier and Leah over the years, and what’s been exciting is watching them evolve into filmmakers with a clear voice and point of view,” he said. “Lake Of Torches feels like the culmination of that growth – something psychologically grounded, visually ambitious, and designed to emotionally connect with audiences.”
The former Sony Pictures executive’s credits as producer include The Banker starring Anthony Mackie and Samuel Jackson and 2025 SXSW selection The Dutchman with Kate Mara.
Konings is also presenting his upcoming Dutch-language project Aulken at the 2026 Frontières Platform proof of concept sidebar in Cannes. As a concept artist and digital matte painter, his credits include Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes, Thor: Ragnarok, and The Conjuring 2.
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