Things We Do For Love

Vaarala, a quiet and romantic photographer, expresses his loneliness through a strange artistic ritual: repeatedly photographing an empty park bench in remote natural landscapes. When he meets the free-spirited Ansa and falls in love, that bench — and his life — begins to fill, but their relationship is threatened by impulsive choices, fractured small-town tensions, and a volatile past that spirals toward tragedy.

Norway’s scenery strengthens the film’s themes of isolation and emotional intensity. The use of remote Senjas landscapes and small-community surroundings gives the story a raw, atmospheric backdrop, where nature feels both beautiful and unforgiving. Norwegian locations help heighten the contrast between the characters’ longing for connection and the stark environments around them, adding realism and visual melancholy to the drama.

Director: Matti Ijäs

Released: 2013

Norway locations: Senja