Summertime Blues (2009) chronicles German teenager Alex’s exile to a sleepy English village and his determination to return to his home-town of Bremen at the earliest opportunity. It’s not long, however, before he begins to make friends, notably Louie and Faye, who show him that life in the middle of nowhere isn’t all that bad. At a crossroads, Alex is torn between his life in Bremen and his new life in England.

Directed by Marie Reich, the film stars Francois Goeske (French for Beginners, Rookies) as Alex, Sarah Beck as Faye, Zoe Moore (Max Minsky and Me, The Taste of Apple Seeds) as Louie, Karoline Eichhorn (Dark, Der Felsen) as Diana Homann and Alexander Beyer (Daliland, Operation Mincemeat (2022)) as Seth McElroy.

In the height of summer 2008, Kent played host to the German production. Looking for some of Kent’s most idyllic and romantic countryside locations, the crew came to the Film Office to aid them in their search. After weeks of deliberation the production company chose the beautiful market town of Faversham and the picturesque village of Stodmarsh for Alex’s quintessentially English home. Filming also took place at the Port of Dover, Manston Airport and some country roads outside of Canterbury.

Stodmarsh is a small village on the outskirts of the historic City of Canterbury. The Canterbury area has previously featured on screen in projects such as Rustom (2016).

Faversham is a beautiful, historic market town which boasts nearly 500 listed buildings and is set on the picturesque Faversham Creek. It has many restaurants, shops, attractions and beautiful walks. The Faversham area has been used as a film location for Channel 4 drama Southcliffe (2013).

The Port of Dover is the busiest passenger port in Europe, and includes a freight terminal, two cruise terminals, yachting marina, harbour wall, lighthouses and a seafront promenade. The Port has featured in many productions, most recently in Missing (2009-2010), On a Clear Day (2005) and Johnny English (2003).

Now closed to the public, Manston Airport is currently empty and awaiting redevelopment. It boasts a long runway, hangar, large modern warehouse as well as a disused tower and office space.  The James Bond film Die Another Day (2002) and Doctor Who – Mind of Evil (1971) feature the Airport.

Canterbury is a historic city; many of its original structures remain including the Cathedral (which is among the oldest in England), as well as a city wall founded in Roman times. The city is a popular tourist destination which boasts a modern shopping complex and many restaurants and bars. A Canterbury Tale (1944) also filmed in the city.

Summertime Blues (2009) was released in Germany on Thursday 20th August 2009 and is now available to purchase on DVD.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.