Aki Kaurismäki
Directing Born Apr 4, 1957 Orimattila, Finland 179 credits
Biography
Aki Kaurismäki is a Finnish film director, screenwriter, producer, editor, and actor. He was born on April 4, 1957, in Orimattila, Finland. Kaurismäki is known for directing award-winning films such as Drifting Clouds, The Man Without a Past, Le Havre, The Other Side of Hope, and Fallen Leaves. He is also known for the mockumentary Leningrad Cowboys Go America. Kaurismäki's career in cinema began after he pursued his interest in film, following various occupations including a bricklayer, postman, and dish-washer. He is the younger brother of director and screenwriter Mika Kaurismäki, and graduated in media studies from the University of Tampere.
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Career overview
Aki Kaurismäki is a Finnish film director, screenwriter, producer, editor, and actor. He is known for directing several award-winning films, including Drifting Clouds, The Man Without a Past, Le Havre, The Other Side of Hope, and Fallen Leaves. Kaurismäki's work is often described as a representation of Finland's best-known film director.
Before pursuing his interest in cinema, Kaurismäki worked in various jobs, including as a bricklayer, postman, and dish-washer. He graduated in media studies from the University of Tampere. Kaurismäki's career in film began with his work on the mockumentary Leningrad Cowboys Go America, released in 1989.
Kaurismäki's directing credits include over 80 films and television shows. His work is characterized by a unique style and perspective on the world. He has gained recognition for his contributions to the film industry, and his films continue to be celebrated for their originality and artistic merit.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Jean-Pierre Léaud: The Child of Cinema · Thanks
Fallen Leaves · DirectorFallen Leaves · WriterFallen Leaves · ProducerCinéma Laika
The Dinosaur
Aki and Peter
Plankton SalesmenThe Other Side of Hope · DirectorThe Other Side of Hope · WriterThe Other Side of Hope · Producer
Peter von BaghJohn From · Thanks
Temples of DreamsDirty Hands · DirectorDirty Hands · WriterValokeilassa Atte Blom
Il était une fois... Le Havre
Bluesia Pieksämäen asemalla · DirectorBluesia Pieksämäen asemalla · WriterBluesia Pieksämäen asemalla · Producer
A Special DayTavern Man · ProducerTavern Man · WriterTavern Man · DirectorTavern Man · Editor
Le Havre · DirectorLe Havre · WriterLe Havre · ProducerBohemian EyesBarzakh · Producer
Bad Family · Producer
Jeanne d'Arc · Producer
Helsinki, Forever · ThanksCalamari Union · WriterCritic
The Foundry · DirectorThe Foundry · WriterThe Foundry · EditorTo Each His Own Cinema · DirectorTo Each His Own Cinema · Producer
Lights in the Dusk · EditorLights in the Dusk · DirectorLights in the Dusk · ProducerLights in the Dusk · Writer
Bico · DirectorBico · WriterBico · ProducerAaltraVisions of Europe · Director
The Man Without a Past · ProducerThe Man Without a Past · DirectorThe Man Without a Past · WriterTen Minutes Older: The Trumpet · DirectorTen Minutes Older: The Trumpet · Writer
Aki KaurismäkiLéaud l'uniqueThe Classic · Producer
A Stone Left Unturned · ProducerBelief, Hope and Blood · Producer
Juha · DirectorJuha · ScreenplayJuha · EditorJuha · Producer
Vaiennut kylä · Producer
Drifting Clouds · ProducerDrifting Clouds · EditorDrifting Clouds · DirectorDrifting Clouds · Writer
I Am Curious, FilmIron HorsemenIron Horsemen · ProducerIron Horsemen · Assistant Director
Leningrad Cowboys Meet MosesLeningrad Cowboys Meet Moses · DirectorLeningrad Cowboys Meet Moses · ScreenplayLeningrad Cowboys Meet Moses · StoryLeningrad Cowboys Meet Moses · Producer
Ripa Hits the Skids · ProducerOur Father… · ProducerKaksi vanhaa varasta · ProducerTalking with Ozu
Where Is Musette?Shit HappensShit Happens · ProducerShit Happens · EditorThe Parrot Man · Editor
Jonathan Ross Presents for One Week Only: Aki Kaurismäki
The Match Factory Girl · DirectorThe Match Factory Girl · ProducerThe Match Factory Girl · EditorThe Match Factory Girl · WriterI Hired a Contract Killer
Leningrad Cowboys Go America · DirectorLeningrad Cowboys Go America · ScreenplayLeningrad Cowboys Go America · StoryLeningrad Cowboys Go America · Producer
Full filmography
- Jean-Pierre Léaud: The Child of Cinema (2024) Thanks
- Fallen Leaves (2023) Director
- Fallen Leaves (2023) Writer
- Fallen Leaves (2023) Producer
- Cinéma Laika (2023) as Self
- The Dinosaur (2021) as Self
- Aki and Peter (2018) as Himself
- Plankton Salesmen (2017) as Self (archive footage)
- The Other Side of Hope (2017) Director
- The Other Side of Hope (2017) Writer
- The Other Side of Hope (2017) Producer
- Peter von Bagh (2016) as Self
- John From (2016) Thanks
- Temples of Dreams (2015) as Self
- Dirty Hands (2015) Director
- Dirty Hands (2015) Writer
- Valokeilassa Atte Blom (2015) as Self
- Il était une fois... Le Havre (2014) as himself
- Bluesia Pieksämäen asemalla (2013) Director
- Bluesia Pieksämäen asemalla (2013) Writer
- Bluesia Pieksämäen asemalla (2013) Producer
- A Special Day (2012) as Self
- Tavern Man (2012) Producer
- Tavern Man (2012) Writer
- Tavern Man (2012) Director
- Tavern Man (2012) Editor
- Historic Centre (2012) Director
- Historic Centre (2012) Producer
- Historic Centre (2012) Editor
- Historic Centre (2012) Screenplay
- Le Havre (2011) Director
- Le Havre (2011) Writer
- Le Havre (2011) Producer
- Bohemian Eyes (2011) as Self
- Barzakh (2011) Producer
- Bad Family (2010) Producer
- Jeanne d'Arc (2009) Producer
- Helsinki, Forever (2008) Thanks
- Calamari Union (2008) Writer
- Critic (2008) as Self
- The Foundry (2007) Director
- The Foundry (2007) Writer
- The Foundry (2007) Editor
- To Each His Own Cinema (2007) Director
- To Each His Own Cinema (2007) Producer
- To Each His Own Cinema (2007) Writer
- Lights in the Dusk (2006) Editor
- Lights in the Dusk (2006) Director
- Lights in the Dusk (2006) Producer
- Lights in the Dusk (2006) Writer
- Bico (2004) Director
- Bico (2004) Writer
- Bico (2004) Producer
- Aaltra (2004) as Aaltra's Boss
- Visions of Europe (2004) Director
- Visions of Europe (2004) Writer
- Visions of Europe (2004) Producer
- Visions of Europe (2004) Editor
- Whisky (2004) Thanks
- The Man Without a Past (2002) Producer
- The Man Without a Past (2002) Director
- The Man Without a Past (2002) Writer
- Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet (2002) Director
- Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet (2002) Writer
- Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet (2002) Producer
- Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet (2002) Editor
- Dogs Have No Hell (2002) Director
- Dogs Have No Hell (2002) Writer
- Dogs Have No Hell (2002) Editor
- Dogs Have No Hell (2002) Producer
- Aki Kaurismäki (2001) as Self
- Léaud l'unique (2001) as Self - filmmaker
- The Classic (2001) Producer
- A Stone Left Unturned (2000) Producer
- Belief, Hope and Blood (2000) Producer
- Juha (1999) Director
- Juha (1999) Screenplay
- Juha (1999) Editor
- Juha (1999) Producer
- Vaiennut kylä (1997) Producer
- Drifting Clouds (1996) Producer
- Drifting Clouds (1996) Editor
- Drifting Clouds (1996) Director
- Drifting Clouds (1996) Writer
- I Am Curious, Film (1995) as Self
- Iron Horsemen (1995) as Cadillac Man
- Iron Horsemen (1995) Producer
- Iron Horsemen (1995) Assistant Director
- Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses (1994) as Factory Worker Imitating Chaplin (uncredited)
- Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses (1994) Director
- Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses (1994) Screenplay
- Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses (1994) Story
- Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses (1994) Producer
- Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses (1994) Editor
- Total Balalaika Show (1994) Writer
- Total Balalaika Show (1994) Director
- Total Balalaika Show (1994) Producer
- Take Care of Your Scarf, Tatjana (1994) Director
- Take Care of Your Scarf, Tatjana (1994) Writer
- Take Care of Your Scarf, Tatjana (1994) Producer
- Take Care of Your Scarf, Tatjana (1994) Editor
- Ripa Hits the Skids (1993) Producer
- Our Father… (1993) Producer
- Kaksi vanhaa varasta (1993) Producer
- Talking with Ozu (1993) as Self
- Where Is Musette? (1992) as Self
- Shit Happens (1992) as Estonian
- Shit Happens (1992) Producer
- Shit Happens (1992) Editor
- The Parrot Man (1992) Editor
- La Vie de Bohème (1992) Director
- La Vie de Bohème (1992) Producer
- La Vie de Bohème (1992) Screenplay
- The Prodigal Son (1992) Producer
- Jonathan Ross Presents for One Week Only: Aki Kaurismäki (1991) as Self
- The Match Factory Girl (1990) Director
- The Match Factory Girl (1990) Producer
- The Match Factory Girl (1990) Editor
- The Match Factory Girl (1990) Writer
- I Hired a Contract Killer (1990) as Sunglasses Seller (uncredited)
- I Hired a Contract Killer (1990) Screenplay
- I Hired a Contract Killer (1990) Producer
- I Hired a Contract Killer (1990) Director
- I Hired a Contract Killer (1990) Editor
- I Hired a Contract Killer (1990) Story
- Leningrad Cowboys Go America (1989) Director
- Leningrad Cowboys Go America (1989) Screenplay
- Leningrad Cowboys Go America (1989) Story
- Leningrad Cowboys Go America (1989) Producer
- Ariel (1988) Director
- Ariel (1988) Writer
- Ariel (1988) Producer
- Hamlet Goes Business (1987) Director
- Hamlet Goes Business (1987) Producer
- Hamlet Goes Business (1987) Screenplay
- Tilinteko (1987) Writer
- Tilinteko (1987) Producer
- Macbeth (1987) Producer
- Shadows in Paradise (1986) as Hotel Receptionist (uncredited)
- Shadows in Paradise (1986) Director
- Shadows in Paradise (1986) Writer
- Morena (1986) Production Sound Mixer
- Rocky VI (1986) as Magazine Photographer
- Rocky VI (1986) Writer
- Rocky VI (1986) Producer
- Rocky VI (1986) Editor
- Rocky VI (1986) Director
- Kuningas lähtee Ranskaan (1986) Gaffer
- Calamari Union (1985) as Hearse Driver (uncredited)
- Calamari Union (1985) Writer
- Calamari Union (1985) Director
- Calamari Union (1985) Editor
- Calamari Union (1985) Producer
- Rosso (1985) Dialogue
- Rosso (1985) Gaffer
- Ylösnousemus (1985) as Taksikuski
- Viimeiset rotannahat (1985)
- The Clan: Tale of the Frogs (1984) Screenplay
- The Clan: Tale of the Frogs (1984) Assistant Director
- Crime and Punishment (1983) Director
- Crime and Punishment (1983) Screenplay
- Huhtikuu on kuukausista julmin (1983) as Ville Alfa
- The Worthless (1982) as Ville Alfa
- The Worthless (1982) Production Design
- The Worthless (1982) Dialogue
- The Worthless (1982) Assistant Director
- The Worthless (1982) Writer
- Jackpot 2 (1982)
- Jackpot 2 (1982) Assistant Director
- Jackpot 2 (1982) Costume Design
- Jackpot 2 (1982) Production Design
- Jackpot 2 (1982) Smoke Artist
- Jackpot 2 (1982) Writer
- The Saimaa Gesture (1981) as Self - Interviewer (uncredited)
- The Saimaa Gesture (1981) Producer
- The Saimaa Gesture (1981) Director
- The Saimaa Gesture (1981) Writer
- The Liar (1981) as Ville Alfa
- The Liar (1981) Writer