Sitting 350 kilometers above the Arctic Circle, the small Norwegian town of Tromsø is known as the home of the Northern Lights. Notwithstanding the cold and deep snow, it continues to be an unparalleled travel destination for Europeans. In winter, Tromsø also experiences another phenomenon—polar nights. The sun sets in November and is not seen again until January, leaving the town in a 24-hour darkness that is taxing on both the body and the mind.

In this lyrical short film, director Francis Plummer merges fiction with documentary in his profile of the Arctic city. Down All Day begins in the UK with a young man struggling with seasonal affective disorder. After he receives a lamp from his parents to help combat his depression, the film transports the audience from the grey skies of south London to Norway’s snow-capped kingdom.

In a way that highlights his playful and experimental style, Plummer captures the residents of Tromsø and records their thoughts about living in perpetual darkness. “I just want to execute good ideas,” says the London-based director, who honed his skills while working with director Bafic on photo shoots, commercials, and music videos. “The idea is the most important part for me. If that foundation is solid, it becomes a lot easier to build the rest.” Down All Day provides a chance for Londoners and city-dwellers alike to reevaluate their relationship with the cold, dark days of winter. 

Text by Sihaam Naik