1/4 You can just run into these two in Blixembosch (photo: ANP).
The Hollywood of Brabant, that’s how you could call the Eindhoven district Blixembosch by now. This month, for the umpteenth time, there are recordings for the English/American version of ‘Nieuwe Buren’. Local residents suddenly see well-known actors such as Sam Heughan and Eleanor Tomlinson walking around. “Normally you only see that on TV.”
Blixembosch has an American neighborhood with a bungalow, suburban and villa section. “It’s a popular neighborhood. The style of these houses is popular, I think. They look American,” says local resident Kim. The large houses and wide green streets are therefore regularly used as a backdrop for films, series and commercials that supposedly take place in America.
It’s happening again this month. ‘The Couple Next Door’ is being recorded. “Very nice,” says Kim. “Yesterday I suddenly saw Sam Heughan. That’s the Outlander actor. He ran past very fast. That was nice.” Eleanor Tomlinson is known for ‘Poldark’, among other things.
“Now you can also see what goes on behind the scenes.”
“It is very special to see,” says another local resident. “In the evening when it is dark, they shine a huge light in the street, as if it were daytime.” It is especially the look behind the scenes that residents find so special. “It looks fantastic,” says a woman who just walked out of her house. “Normally you only see this on TV, but now you can also see what goes on behind the scenes. It really feels like Hollywood here. That’s a nice experience.”
Lonneke also likes the recordings in her neighbourhood. “It is impressive, exciting and a bit chaotic. In the beginning I was dreading it, but they take us into account very much and always ask if we are not causing a nuisance.”
“There’s some life in the brewery.”
But not everyone is happy with the arrival of a new film set. “It is already the third time this year. I find that annoying,” says Lizette. “You can’t park your car then. Streets are closed so you sometimes can’t get to your house. You sometimes have to be very quiet outside because recordings are in progress.”
Jantine even lay awake last night because of the recordings. “There was still a lot of noise in the street until half past four. That was less. My daughter is taking her final exams, so she wants to sleep very well tonight. I don’t know if that will work.” Yet she also likes that something is happening in her neighbourhood. “It’s also funny. There’s some life in the brewery. They’re super nice and really try to take us into account.”
