https://thomaswillemrenckens.com thomaswillemrenckens Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:32:13 +0000 https://thomaswillemrenckens.com en https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/MDBW-copy-1 Thu, 07 Nov 2024 18:16:34 +0000 thomaswillemrenckens https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/MDBW-copy-1 Synopsis What if the life you lead in fantasy is better than your reality? ‘My Dark Beautiful World’ explores Maladaptive Daydreaming (MD) – a psychological phenomenon characterised by excessive daydreaming, so much so that it gets in the way of living a real life. Protagonists Amber, Sian and Dušan share their heartfelt experiences living a life caughtbetween two worlds.Combining intimate interview reflections with scenes from their day-to-day lives, ‘My Dark Beautiful World’ not onlyreveals what Amber, Sian and Dušan daydream about, but also documents their journey towards coming back to reality, unpacking what it is they’re really escaping from along the way. A testament to the true power of fantasy. A film that shows there really can be ‘too much of a good thing’, even for the seemingly innocent act of daydreaming. Credits Director: Thomas RenckensEditor: Nina GraaflandCinematographer: Twan PeetersSound Recordist: Leleane Lindelaar, David Bekkevold, Petar Stojicic,Uroš Krivokapić, Gerben Kokmeijer, Sofie van der MeerComposer: Natalia TsuprykSound Designer: Tatiana SanchesMixing Engineer: Olly SheltonRe-recording Mixer: Harry J.N. ParsonsColourist: Twan PeetersTitle Designer: Yon MataukoMedia Manager: Rob MaasAccountancy: Mandy PosthumaCommissioning Editor HUMAN: Manon van de SluijsAssistant Commissioning Editor HUMAN: Samet YilmazProducer HUMAN: Mathijs JorritsmaLine Producer: Mascha Arkink, Manon TsangCreative Producer: Willem BaptistProducer: Nienke Korthof, Willem Baptist https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/Of-Rats-and-Men-copy Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:32:13 +0000 thomaswillemrenckens https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/Of-Rats-and-Men-copy Synopsis ‘Of Rats and Men’ is a colourful documentary essay, with a hint of magical realism. A rat born and raised in the underground tunnels of the Amsterdam metro, is fed up with constantly being dismissed by human beings as dirty and disgusting. “It’s time for you to face the truth,” she states.                      Through the rat’s eyes, we are taken on an adventurous ride across Amsterdam’s metro network. With sharp wit and playful humour, the rat observes the often-questionable behaviour of human beings. Among the people she encounters throughout her journey are a businessman trapped in the rat race himself, a fortune teller who spends her days foretelling the future of greedy money grabbers, and an archaeologist lamenting humanity’s carelessness, amidst the many artifacts he unearthed during the metro’s construction. “Humans are the real filth,” he says.         As the rat ventures further underground, it slowly but surely becomes clear that humans themselves – with their insatiable hunger for more, better, and faster things – actually display vermin-like traits themselves. “And then you’re calling me a pest?”, she scoffs. A sobering fable on the importance of contentment, wrapped up in a whimsical adventure. Yes. There will be rats… Lots and lots of rats.   Credits Director: Thomas RenckensEditor: Nina GraaflandCinematographer: Twan PeetersSound Recordist: Sofie van der MeerSound Designer: Tatiana SanchesComposer: Natalia TsuprykScript coach: Saar PonsioenColourist: Twan PeetersTitle Designer: Yon MataukoMedia Manager: Rob MaasAccountancy: Mandy PosthumaCommissioning Editor KRO-NCRV: Michiel BrongersProduction Lead KRO-NCRV: Zelda NieuwenhuisLine Producer: Manon TsangCreative Producer: Willem BaptistProducer: Nienke Korthof, Willem Baptist https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/The-Daydreamers-copy Thu, 30 May 2024 14:33:51 +0000 thomaswillemrenckens https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/The-Daydreamers-copy Synopsis What if you’re addicted to your own fantasy? The Daydreamers takes a closer look at the phenomenon of ‘Maladaptive Daydreaming’ – a psychological term coined by Prof. Dr. Eli Somer, which is characterised by extensive fantasy activity, so much so that it replaces human interaction and impairs real-life functioning. This is the first ever documentary to touch upon this largely unknown condition, which affects hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide. Protagonists Agatha and Jessica meet Eli Somer for the first time on-camera, sharing their experiences of living with maladaptive daydreaming with him. Having never publicly talked about their condition, seeing their testimonies on camera provides a moving account of what it’s like to live a life cut off from reality. Credits Director: Thomas RenckensProducer: Said EnglundCinematographer: Twan PeetersEditor: Ed ColtmanSound Designer: Yin LeeComposer: Natalia TsuprykColourist: Michael PearceSound Recordist: Griff MilesProduction Manager: Vigdis Maack Assistant Camera: Lou Macnamara & Romyn SharmaTitle Designer: Yon Matauko https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/Taking-the-Plunge-copy Thu, 30 May 2024 14:36:22 +0000 thomaswillemrenckens https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/Taking-the-Plunge-copy Synopsis Laura has recently turned 30. And, like so many others facing this important milestone, Laura decided that now is the time to take her life into a different direction, and become none other than a full-time mermaid. Set against the beautiful backdrop of St. Ives, Taking the Plunge is a fun, uplifting story about a Cornish girl, and her very special relationship to the sea. At its core, this is a film about the pursuit of happiness, and the importance of being able to express your true self. Credits Director/Cinematographer: Thomas RenckensEditor: Ona BartoliSound Designer: Yin LeeComposer: Natalia TsuprykColourist: Michael PearceTitle Designer: Yon Matauko https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/Jenny-the-Highway-Blockers-copy Thu, 30 May 2024 14:41:57 +0000 thomaswillemrenckens https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/Jenny-the-Highway-Blockers-copy Synopsis Filmmaker Thomas Renckens returns to his native Friesland to cover the highly-publicised trial of Jenny Douwes and the 33 Frisians who blocked the high- way in November 2017, preventing a group of anti-Black Pete activists from being able to protest in Friesland. Following Jenny before, during, and after the trial, the film provides a unique perspective on a woman that’s divided opinions across the country. Why did Jenny feel compelled to do what she did? How will things work out for her? And what does the highway blockade say about racist attitudes in the Netherlands? Jenny and The Highway Blockers provides an insightful, unexpected view into one of the most challenging issues facing the Netherlands today. Full Film (Click here to view) Credits Director/Cinematographer: Thomas RenckensEditor: Jan SchroederComposer: Adam SpeckSound Designer: Joao FonteSound Recordist: Balint CsakiColourist: Michael Pearce https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/Thorvald-the-Hunter-copy Thu, 30 May 2024 14:45:33 +0000 thomaswillemrenckens https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/Thorvald-the-Hunter-copy Synopsis Thorvald The Hunter tells the story of Thorvald – a 40 – year old Greenlandic man living in Blok 15, one of the countless concrete tower blocks in Nuuk built as part of the Danish government’s controversial ‘modernisation programme’ of Greenland. Thorvald speaks fondly of his adventures hunting all across Greenland. Sadly, a serious back injury prevents Thorvald from being a hunter today. Thankfully, he’s found a solution: to satisfy his cravings, Thorvald regularly makes a trip to the Nuuk downtown supermarket where he ‘hunts’ for his own food. Intimate and mischievous, Thorvald The Hunter provides a unique insight into life at the end of the world.   Credits Director/Cinematographer/Editor: Thomas Renckens https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/Curriculum-Vitae-copy Thu, 30 May 2024 14:46:46 +0000 thomaswillemrenckens https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/Curriculum-Vitae-copy Download CV - EnglishDownload CV - Nederlands https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/Info-copy Thu, 30 May 2024 14:49:46 +0000 thomaswillemrenckens https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/Info-copy Thomas Willem Renckens is a documentary producer/director, who splits his time between Amsterdam and Brussels.    A graduate from the National Film & Television School’s ‘MA Directing Documentary’ course, Thomas has many years of experience making documentaries for broadcasters/streamers including Netflix, BBC, Channel 4, Discocery Networks, Videoland, and the NPO (Dutch public broadcaster), working for production companies such as Raw TV, Curious Films, October Films, The Garden, Lion Television, Fremantle and 100% Film.           As a director, Thomas recently completed the youth documentary ‘Of Rats and Men’, which premiered at Cinekid Festival, as well as the feature documentary film ‘My Dark Beautiful World’. Both were films were broadcast by the NPO, and produced by Tangerine Tree. Thomas’ graduation film ‘The Daydreamers’ screened in film festivals worlwide, won numerous awards, and was selected as part of the NPO’s ‘Filmmakers of the Future’ strand. He has been the recepient of filmmaking grants from organisations including Het Cultuurfonds, Fundatie van Renswoude, and Genootschap Noorthey.                     As a producer, Thomas has worked on numerous documentary series, including the worldwide Netflix hits ‘The Man with 1000 Kids’ and ‘Trainwreck: The Real Project X’, the Channel 4/Videoland series ‘Operation Dark Phone: Murder by Text’, and the BBC series ‘Journey into the Danger Zone: Iraq’.             In addition, Thomas has many years of experience working as a development executive – spearheading the development of original documentary ideas (e.g. writing pitch decks, finding contributors, getting access to organisations, shooting and editing sizzle tapes) for both the UK and Benelux broadcasting/streaming industry. https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/Contact-copy Thu, 30 May 2024 14:50:57 +0000 thomaswillemrenckens https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/Contact-copy For professional enquiries or job opportunities, please contact me at:thomaswillemrenckens@gmail.comThe Netherlands +31(0)612470309 United Kingdom +44(0)7999770227 Belgium +32(0)491146870 Instagram Linkedin Vimeo* Note: if you are interested in seeing any of my films, please send me a message and I can share the Vimeo password with you. https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/Of-Rats-and-Men Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:59:43 +0000 thomaswillemrenckens https://thomaswillemrenckens.com/Of-Rats-and-Men Synopsis ‘Of Rats and Men’ is a colourful documentary essay, with a hint of magical realism. A rat born and raised in the underground tunnels of the Amsterdam metro, is fed up with constantly being dismissed by human beings as dirty and disgusting. “It’s time for you to face the truth,” she states.                      Through the rat’s eyes, we are taken on an adventurous ride across Amsterdam’s metro network. With sharp wit and playful humour, the rat observes the often-questionable behaviour of human beings. Among the people she encounters throughout her journey are a businessman trapped in the rat race himself, a fortune teller who spends her days foretelling the future of greedy money grabbers, and an archaeologist lamenting humanity’s carelessness, amidst the many artifacts he unearthed during the metro’s construction. “Humans are the real filth,” he says.         As the rat ventures further underground, it slowly but surely becomes clear that humans themselves – with their insatiable hunger for more, better, and faster things – actually display vermin-like traits themselves. “And then you’re calling me a pest?”, she scoffs. A sobering fable on the importance of contentment, wrapped up in a whimsical adventure. Yes. There will be rats… Lots and lots of rats.   Credits Director: Thomas Renckens Editor: Nina Graafland Cinematographer: Twan Peeters Sound Recordist: Sofie van der Meer Sound Designer: Tatiana Sanches Composer: Natalia Tsupryk Script coach: Saar Ponsioen Colourist: Twan Peeters Title Designer: Yon Matauko Media Manager: Rob Maas Accountancy: Mandy Posthuma Commissioning Editor KRO-NCRV: Michiel Brongers Production Lead KRO-NCRV: Zelda Nieuwenhuis Line Producer: Manon Tsang Creative Producer: Willem Baptist Producer: Nienke Korthof, Willem Baptist