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Aki Kaurismäki

Aki Kaurismäki

Producer, writer, director, editor and actor · Born April 4, 1957 (69) · Orimattila, Finland

Aki Olavi Kaurismäki (Finnish: [ˈɑki ˈkɑu̯rismæki]; born April 4,1957; Orimattila) is a Finnish film director, screenwriter, producer, editor and actor. He is best known for the award-winning Drifting Clouds (1996), The Man Without a Past (2002), Le Havre (2011), The Other Side of Hope (2017) and Fallen Leaves (2023), as well as for the mockumentary Leningrad Cowboys Go America (1989). He is described as Finland's best-known film director. He is the younger brother of director and screenwriter Mika Kaurismäki. After graduating in media studies from the University of Tampere, Kaurismäki worked as a bricklayer, postman, and dish-washer, long before pursuing his interest in cinema, first as a critic, and later as a screenwriter & director. He started his career as a co-screenwriter and actor in films made by his older brother, Mika Kaurismäki. He played the main role in Mika's film The Liar (1981). Together they founded the production company Villealfa Filmproductions and later the Midnight Sun Film Festival. His debut as an independent director was Crime and Punishment (1983), an adaptation of Dostoyevsky's novel set in modern Helsinki. He gained worldwide attention with Leningrad Cowboys Go America (1989). Kaurismäki's film Ariel (1988) was entered into the 16th Moscow International Film Festival where it won the Prix FIPRESCI. Kaurismäki's most acclaimed film has been The Man Without a Past, which won the Grand Prix and the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Foreign Language Film category in 2003. However, Kaurismäki refused to attend the Oscar ceremony, asserting that he did not feel like partying in a country that was in a state of war. Kaurismäki's next film, Lights in the Dusk, was also chosen to be Finland's nominee for best foreign-language film, but Kaurismäki again boycotted the awards and refused the nomination, as a protest against U.S. President George W. Bush's foreign policy. In 2002 Kaurismäki also boycotted the 40th New York Film Festival in a show of solidarity with the Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami, who was not given a US visa in time for the festival. Kaurismäki's 2017 film The Other Side of Hope won the Silver Bear for Best Director award at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival. At the same festival he also announced that it would be his last film, although the retirement was short-lived as he began filming Fallen Leaves in 2022, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 4, 1957 (69)
From
Orimattila, Finland
Works as
Producer, writer, director, editor and actor
Titles
18 on MovieCove · 65 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 27% in 30 days

What are Aki Kaurismäki's films like?

Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Society.

Genres

Comedy12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 92nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
26%
Society
22%
Bonds
20%
Ideas
15%
Survival
7%
Morality
6%
Power
4%
Romantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 8 · Serious 7 · Dark 2

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 5 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 7

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 9 · Charged 7 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 12 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 3 · Some laughs 11 · Funny 3

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 16 · Even-paced 1 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 12 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 5 · Affecting 10 · Heavy 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
11
Melancholic
9
Contemplative
7
Absurd
4
Tense
3
Other
9

How their films linger

Hopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet8
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2
  • Cyclical1
  • Other1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Aki Kaurismäki's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 10 of their 18 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Criterion Channel (8).

Subscription and free streaming for Aki Kaurismäki's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

65 credits, 18 with a MovieCove page; 17 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Le cinéma de Jean-Pierre Léaud(2024)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Fallen Leaves(2023)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Other Side of Hope(2017)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • John From (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Thanks

  • Dirty Hands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Director · Writer

  • Bluesia Pieksämäen asemalla (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director · Producer · Writer

  • Historic Centre(2012)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Tavern Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Writer

  • Le Havre(2011)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Barzakh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Producer

  • 60 Seconds of Solitude in Year Zero(2011)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Bad Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Producer

  • Jeanne d'Arc (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Producer

  • Calamari Union (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Writer

  • Helsinki, Forever(2008)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • To Each His Own Cinema(2007)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Foundry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director · Editor · Writer

  • Lights in the Dusk(2006)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Whisky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Thanks

  • Aaltra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Aaltra's Boss

  • Visions of Europe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Writer

  • Bico (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Director · Producer · Writer

  • Dogs Have No Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Writer

  • Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet(2002)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Man Without a Past(2002)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Classic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Producer

  • A Stone Left Unturned (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Producer

  • VÄNÄ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • Belief, Hope and Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Producer

  • Juha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Screenplay

  • Vaiennut kylä (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Producer

  • Drifting Clouds(1996)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Iron Horsemen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Assistant Director · Producer · as Cadillac Man

  • Total Balalaika Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Director · Producer · Writer

  • Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Screenplay · Story · as Factory Worker Imitating Chaplin (uncredited)

  • Take Care of Your Scarf, Tatjana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Writer

  • Our Father… (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Producer

  • Kaksi vanhaa varasta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Producer

  • Ripa Hits the Skids (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Producer

  • The Prodigal Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Producer

  • Shit Happens (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Editor · Producer · as Estonian

  • The Parrot Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Editor

  • The Bohemian Life(1992)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • I Hired a Contract Killer(1990)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Screenplay · Story · as Sunglasses Seller (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Match Factory Girl(1990)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Leningrad Cowboys Go America(1989)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay · Story

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Ariel(1988)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Hamlet Goes Business (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay

  • Tilinteko (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Producer · Writer

  • Macbeth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Producer

  • Shadows in Paradise(1986)

    Director · Writer · as Hotel Receptionist (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Kuningas lähtee Ranskaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Gaffer

  • Rocky VI (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Writer · as Magazine Photographer

  • Morena (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Production Sound Mixer

  • Rosso (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Dialogue · Gaffer

  • Ylösnousemus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Taksikuski

  • Calamari Union (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Writer · as Hearse Driver (uncredited)

  • Viimeiset rotannahat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • The Clan: Tale of the Frogs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Assistant Director · Screenplay

  • Crime and Punishment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Huhtikuu on kuukausista julmin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Ville Alfa

  • The Worthless (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Assistant Director · Dialogue · Production Design · Writer · as Ville Alfa

  • Jackpot 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Assistant Director · Costume Design · Production Design · Smoke Artist · Writer · Actor

  • The Saimaa Gesture (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Self - Interviewer (uncredited)

  • The Liar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Writer · as Ville Alfa

Career shape

A full career of 64 titles from 1981 to 2024.

Biggest box office

Le Havre (2011)

$13M worldwide

Highest rated

Drifting Clouds (1996)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

Le Havre (2011)

Film career

  • 1982Screen debut· The Worthless

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting15 of 64: 5 only acting, 10 with another roleDirecting31 of 64: 0 only directing, 31 with another role · typical Midcredits score90thWriting38 of 64: 1 only writing, 37 with another role · typical Midcredits score90thProducing42 of 64: 12 only producing, 30 with another role · typical Midcredits score89thEditing17 of 64: 1 only editing, 16 with another role · typical Midcredits score86thOther crew11 of 64: 6 only other crew, 5 with another role

64 titles, 39 with more than one role — producing and writing overlap on 28 of them.

By decade

1980s20 · 9 acting · 17 crew1990s16 · 4 acting · 16 crew2000s17 · 2 acting · 15 crew2010s9 · crew2020s2 · crew

Billing

usually 14th · top billed in 0% of 6 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Aki Kaurismäki's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 89th percentile, the median of all 18; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 87th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

87thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

87thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

85thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 18 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up14
  • 50th to 74th3
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

11 of their 18 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Divisive1
  • Crowd Pleaser11
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed1

Most divisive · director

60 Seconds of Solitude in Year Zero (2011)

90th percentile spread · 35% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director, writer, producer, editor

Drifting Clouds (1996)

Midcredits 96th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the dialogue 59/100 and the plot and story 52/100 in their films, across 14 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a writer.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Aki Kaurismäki's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 9 · minimalMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Aki Kaurismäki work with?

People who share at least 2 of Aki Kaurismäki's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Timo Salminen shares the most, 14.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles