Synopsis
‘Debut director/co-writer Jonathan Glendening’s light touch is refreshing, and his emphasis on the ensemble playing suits the material well. The young cast are allowed to bounce off each other convincingly suggesting their tangled relationships. Cinematographer Peter Wignall emphasizes the luminous Mediterranean oranges and reds in his shots, evoking the work of Patrice Leconte particularly ‘Tango’ and ‘The Hairdressers Husband’. The script by Glendening and Chris Rieley is in the same vein as the BBC’s ‘This Life’, with a suitably populist soundtrack of Brighton based bands. The film concerns itself with its characters about moving on to brighter things and not looking back, and there is enough energy and talent in evidence to suggest that the filmmakers will do so as well.
Raindance Film Festival program 2000
The multi-award winning, British romantic comedy, Summer Rain, is the feature film debut of writer/director Jonathan Glendening. Featuring many of the coastal capital’s stunning locations and a music soundtrack boasting many of the region’s top bands, Summer Rain is the first movie to truly show off the positive, modern & vibrant youth of Britain.
A romantic comedy drama, Summer Rain tells the story of three girls living together in Brighton - Britain’s sexy, funky, coastal capital.
On her 21st birthday Michelle (Clea Smith) decides that it is time to ‘grow up’ & dumps her long term boyfriend boyfriend Gary (Paul Vaughan Evans), but he will do anything to win her back! Vicky (Lara Clancy) & Becky (Cath Sampson) try to help Michell face the future only to question theirs - Just how do you move on and grow up?
A film for twenty-somethings everywhere.
British Independent film maker Jonathan Glendening over came all the odds to produce his ultra low-budget, award winning, debut feature film Summer Rain.
Set in Jonathan’s home town - Brighton; Summer Rain features many of the coastal capital’s stunning locations and a music soundtrack boasting the best Brighton bands & musicians. Shot with a Brighton cast and crew, Summer Rain is the first movie to truly show off the positive, modern and vibrant side of Britain.
Jonathan started shooting Summer Rain in 1998, but had to abandon filming 5 weeks later when an investor pulled out. Jonathan intensively fought to raise the funds required to finish the movie, and a year later he resumed filming with the same cast and crew (although one actor needed a wig to match continuity)!
Jonathan then spent two years sneaking into edit suites at weekends to cut the film, finally premiering the completed movie on March 30th 2002. Two years on the international film festival circuit followed with Summer Rain winning several awards for cinematography, acting, and Best Film.
