THINGS TO DO, Tekemistä ry

In a small town at the Finnish-Russian border the future seems insecure. Still, local teenagers are dreaming, testing and searching their own ways. Growing up in a desolating city includes a question of staying and leaving.

Things to Do is a documentary film about Finnish South Karelian adolescents and hobbies. For one year it follows 14-to-21-year-olds , who fill up their free time with different activities; one loves theater, the other aims at being a top athlete and the third has a YouTube channel about caring baby dolls. Life is also about to change; some are leaving while others are staying. The film is a window to the life of a 2020’s teenager in a small town at the Western world’s border and the various meanings of having a hobby.

The documentary project is produced by Tekemistä ry, an Imatra based association. It is a collaboration between local teens, youth workers and art professionals. The project started in 2022 and ends in 2024. It is funded by the Finnish Cultural Foundation and with the support of Leader Kärki and the European Agricultural Fund.

MAKERS:
Teens in front of the camera:: Iida Ahtiainen, Nelli Anttonen, Emmi Hiltunen, Anna-Maria Riaikinen, Sandra Strömberg, Tiia Tentke, Annika Tisler, Lauri Vakkilainen
Teens behind the camera: Iida Ahtiainen, Anna-Maria Riaikinen, Annika Tisler, Emmi Hiltunen, Vlad Punkka, Pauliina Dahlgren
Director: Pietu Wikström
Assistant Director: Lauri Haltsonen
Script: Pietu Wikström, Jani Kautto, Lauri Haltsonen
Managing Producer: Elina Kukkonen
Producer: Emmi Korhonen
Production Assistants: Sandra Strömberg, Linda Ahtiainen, Krista Nordberg, Tomi Pitman
Marketing Coordinator: Oona Jakku
Marketing Assistants: Sandra Strömberg, Krista Nordberg
Cinematographer: Jani Kautto
Editor: Jani Kautto