Kari Väänänen

Acting

Kari Väänänen

Born September 17, 1953 · Ivalo, Finland (age 72)

Kari Kyösti Väänänen (born 17 September 1953 in Ivalo) is a Finnish actor and director. Domestically he is a member of the Ryhmäteatteri group of actors. He was introduced to international audiences by Aki Kaurismäki; and belongs to the list of his "trusted" stable of actors. His most challenging role has been the eponymous mafia hitman of Rosso, for which he learned all his lines phonetically, w…

Known For

Spy GamesSpy Games · 1999
Spy Games
4.61999
MovieActionComedy
CIA Agent Harry Howe and SVR Agent Natasha Scriabina team up to save the world, their lives and secret love in post Cold War Helsinki.
Night on EarthNight on Earth · 1991
Night on Earth
7.51991
MovieComedyDrama
A quintet of cabbies in five cities and their remarkable fares on the same eventful night.
Christmas StoryChristmas Story · 2007
Christmas Story
7.22007
MovieFantasyFamily
Hundreds of years ago in Lapland, a little boy named Nikolas loses his family in an accident. The villagers decide to look after the orphaned boy together. Once a year - at Christmas - Nikolas moves to a new home. To show his gratitude, Nikolas decides to make toys for the children of the families as good-bye presents. Over the years, Nikolas's former adoptive families become many, and soon almost every house has presents on its doorstep on Christmas morning. At thirteen, Nikolas is sent to live and work with Iisakki, a grumpy old carpenter, who forbids Nikolas to continue making presents for Christmas. Gradually, however, Nikolas wins Iisakki's trust. Together they begin to look after the Christmas traditional that Nikolas has begun. When the aged Iisakki has to leave Nikolas and move away, the tradition of Christmas presents is once again at risk. Thankfully, Nikolas comes up with a solution that brings children joy every Christmas, even continuing to today.
AmazonAmazon · 1990
Amazon
5.01990
MovieAdventureDrama
Widowed and broke Finnish businessman Kari takes his two teenage daughters with him to Brazil. A bush pilot introduces him to the idea of gold mining in the jungle, but a beautiful and educated local woman warns him about the possible consequences to the rain forest. Kari has mixed feelings about the project, until an accident puts him in the care of a local Indian tribe.
AmbushAmbush · 1999
Ambush
6.01999
MovieDramaWar
It is the summer of 1941 and the Finnish army has been mobilized along the border with Russia. A platoon led by Lt. Eero Perkola is waiting for orders to go on the offensive. The platoon receives orders for a recon mission through the wilderness around the Lieksa lake to search for possible Russian defensive positions.
Calamari UnionCalamari Union · 1985
Calamari Union
7.01985
MovieComedyDrama
A group of men all called Frank—except for one named Pekka—have had enough of life in their working-class neighborhood, so they set off for a better existence in the magical seaside district of Eira. But the way is long, and the group face many hurdles including stray dogs and defunct streetlights.
RyhmäteatteriRyhmäteatteri · 2018
Ryhmäteatteri
9.02018
MovieDocumentary
Documentary on the history of Ryhmäteatteri theatre company.
We Are the Pirates of the RoadsWe Are the Pirates of the Roads · 2015
We Are the Pirates of the Roads
4.72015
MovieAdventureFamily
The Rosvola family – The Robbersons drive around the country in their pirate car robbing bypassing cars of their sweets, extra food and consumer goods. Life changes for the Rosvolas when they accidentally kidnap 10-year-old Vilja, a diligent school girl. Will Vilja succeed in escaping or will she become friends with the Rosvolas´ children Hele (12 years) and Kalle (9 years)? We are the Pirates of the Roads is a funny and crazy adventurous road movie for children.

Movies

Spy GamesSpy Games · 1999
Spy Games
4.61999
MovieActionComedy
CIA Agent Harry Howe and SVR Agent Natasha Scriabina team up to save the world, their lives and secret love in post Cold War Helsinki.
Night on EarthNight on Earth · 1991
Night on Earth
7.51991
MovieComedyDrama
A quintet of cabbies in five cities and their remarkable fares on the same eventful night.
Christmas StoryChristmas Story · 2007
Christmas Story
7.22007
MovieFantasyFamily
Hundreds of years ago in Lapland, a little boy named Nikolas loses his family in an accident. The villagers decide to look after the orphaned boy together. Once a year - at Christmas - Nikolas moves to a new home. To show his gratitude, Nikolas decides to make toys for the children of the families as good-bye presents. Over the years, Nikolas's former adoptive families become many, and soon almost every house has presents on its doorstep on Christmas morning. At thirteen, Nikolas is sent to live and work with Iisakki, a grumpy old carpenter, who forbids Nikolas to continue making presents for Christmas. Gradually, however, Nikolas wins Iisakki's trust. Together they begin to look after the Christmas traditional that Nikolas has begun. When the aged Iisakki has to leave Nikolas and move away, the tradition of Christmas presents is once again at risk. Thankfully, Nikolas comes up with a solution that brings children joy every Christmas, even continuing to today.
AmazonAmazon · 1990
Amazon
5.01990
MovieAdventureDrama
Widowed and broke Finnish businessman Kari takes his two teenage daughters with him to Brazil. A bush pilot introduces him to the idea of gold mining in the jungle, but a beautiful and educated local woman warns him about the possible consequences to the rain forest. Kari has mixed feelings about the project, until an accident puts him in the care of a local Indian tribe.
AmbushAmbush · 1999
Ambush
6.01999
MovieDramaWar
It is the summer of 1941 and the Finnish army has been mobilized along the border with Russia. A platoon led by Lt. Eero Perkola is waiting for orders to go on the offensive. The platoon receives orders for a recon mission through the wilderness around the Lieksa lake to search for possible Russian defensive positions.
Calamari UnionCalamari Union · 1985
Calamari Union
7.01985
MovieComedyDrama
A group of men all called Frank—except for one named Pekka—have had enough of life in their working-class neighborhood, so they set off for a better existence in the magical seaside district of Eira. But the way is long, and the group face many hurdles including stray dogs and defunct streetlights.
RyhmäteatteriRyhmäteatteri · 2018
Ryhmäteatteri
9.02018
MovieDocumentary
Documentary on the history of Ryhmäteatteri theatre company.
We Are the Pirates of the RoadsWe Are the Pirates of the Roads · 2015
We Are the Pirates of the Roads
4.72015
MovieAdventureFamily
The Rosvola family – The Robbersons drive around the country in their pirate car robbing bypassing cars of their sweets, extra food and consumer goods. Life changes for the Rosvolas when they accidentally kidnap 10-year-old Vilja, a diligent school girl. Will Vilja succeed in escaping or will she become friends with the Rosvolas´ children Hele (12 years) and Kalle (9 years)? We are the Pirates of the Roads is a funny and crazy adventurous road movie for children.
Drifting CloudsDrifting Clouds · 1996
Drifting Clouds
7.61996
MovieComedyDrama
The ever-poker-faced Ilona loses her job as a restaurant hostess, as her tram driver husband, Lauri, also finds himself out of work. Together they must hit the streets of Helsinki, facing up to hardship and humiliation in their quest for survival, guided through the gloom by a ray of hope.
The Tough OnesThe Tough Ones · 1999
The Tough Ones
6.21999
MovieDramaCrime
The Tough Ones tells a story of two friends who have a hard time finding their place in the society. Antti and Jussi are released from jail. While they were doing time for bank robbery, the third man involved in the robbery, the one who was not convicted, has become a policeman. He tries to help his friends to settle into the small town in Pohjanmaa, but the boys start a black market liquor business instead. The road seems to lead back to the jail.
The Unknown SoldierThe Unknown Soldier · 1985
The Unknown Soldier
6.71985
MovieDramaWar
Second silver screen adaption of the Finnish war book by Väinö Linna. The story is based on Linna's experiences as an infantry man in the Finnish army during the so called "Continuation War" (1941-1944).
Dirty HandsDirty Hands · 2015
Dirty Hands
5.52015
MovieTV MovieDrama
A political drama set in the fictional country of Illyria between 1943 and 1945, the story is about the assassination of a leading politician. The country, an ally of Nazi Germany, is on the verge of being annexed to the Eastern Bloc. Kaurismäki's TV adaptation of Jean-Paul Sartre's play Les Mains Sales (Dirty Hands) tells the story of Hugo (Matti Pellonpää) who has just been released from prison. Before going to prison, he has worked as a journalist at his party's newspaper. This timid journalist, who uses the pseudonym Raskolnikov, wants to advance in his career and gets his chance when Hoederer (Sulevi Peltola), the leader of the party, has to be eliminated.
SutkiSutki · 1993
Sutki
2.01993
MovieComedy
Sutki travels around Finland selling his wife's knitted mittens at market stalls. Business is slow, and Sutki's boisterous lifestyle doesn't help matters. Sutki is an enterprising salesman. In addition to mittens, he even manages to sell lottery tickets for the disabled. However, as his name suggests, Sutki gets himself into all kinds of trouble, both possible and impossible.
Honey BabyHoney Baby · 2004
Honey Baby
5.72004
MovieRomanceDrama
An American, with a past as a successful musician, makes a living by playing at weddings and the likes in Germany. Then he gets an offer to tour in East Europe. During his travels he gets insight and finds true love.
Bohemian EyesBohemian Eyes · 2011
Bohemian Eyes
6.42011
MovieDocumentary
Documentary about the life of Finnish actor Matti Pellonpää.
LauluLaulu · 1986
Laulu
5.51986
MovieDocumentary
A documentary about Helsinki's nightlife, soundtracked by rock band Sielun Veljet, theater troupe Ryhmäteatteri, and radio DJ Teppo Turkki.
JonJon · 1983
Jon
6.31983
MovieDrama
Story of Jari, a misfit and coward who, after hitting his girlfriend escapes to a fish factory in Norway. There he meets Heikki, who works for the same company. However, the violence follows Jon in Norway too.
Paper StarPaper Star · 1989
Paper Star
4.71989
MovieDrama
Anna Kelanen is an ex-model, who just has been released from prison. She thinks back on her life, when she was a rather successful model, and on the things that went wrong.
Apinan vuosiApinan vuosi · 1983
Apinan vuosi
7.31983
MovieDramaComedy
A young student seeks direction in his life to counterbalance the studies through female adventures.
Zombie and the Ghost TrainZombie and the Ghost Train · 1991
Zombie and the Ghost Train
6.71991
MovieDramaComedy
Antti "Zombie" Autiomaa does two things well: play the bass guitar and drink. After several months' sleeping on the streets of Istanbul, he returns to Helsinki where he's called into the army but discharged on mental health grounds after adding turpentine to the officers' soup. Zombie lives bleary-eyed in an apartment off his parents' house where his lonely, unemployed father suffers from heart disease. His girl-friend Marjo has taken up with a hairdresser but comes back to Zombie. His friend Harri hires him as a roadie for his band "Harry and the Mulefukkers" then gives him a chance as a bass player. He has his girl and he has a gig, but can Zombie put the bottle down?
KajaaniKajaani · 2017
Kajaani
2017
Movie
After several years in France, Juho and Anna go back to see their sick father. Juho fears this travel, he did not see him since 15 years and fears what he is going to find.
Trench RoadTrench Road · 2004
Trench Road
5.72004
MovieDrama
After his wife leaves him, a man becomes obsessed getting his family back together by buying an old house.
The BreakthroughThe Breakthrough · 1981
The Breakthrough
7.01981
MovieDrama
Theater students rehearse their own play, "Freedom," and become entangled in the depths of the play's themes in their personal lives.
MestariMestari · 1992
Mestari
4.21992
MovieDramaComedy
Eero Tyrni, a reporter for Iltapäivä newspaper, is in Austria doing a story on ski jumper Teemu Kimpilä. Kimpilä's jumps fail and he disappears from the scene. Left behind are his third wife Sari, his sponsors, the Ski Association, and the Finnish people. Tyrni is tasked with finding out where Kimpilä disappeared to.

TV Shows

Kaverille ei jätetäKaverille ei jätetä · 1999
Kaverille ei jätetä
8.01999
SeriesDramaComedy
Sincerely Yours in Cold BloodSincerely Yours in Cold Blood · 2000
Sincerely Yours in Cold Blood
7.22000
SeriesDramaCrime
Kylmäverisesti sinun (Sincerely Yours in Cold Blood) is a Finnish true crime drama television series. All episodes are based on real life cases. The show follows Helsinki central police department investigator Veli Miettinen and lawyer Mira Kataja as they tackle with personal life problems and try to keep their relationship purely professional.
Jurismia!Jurismia! · 2002
Jurismia!
6.82002
SeriesComedy
Team AhmaTeam Ahma · 1998
Team Ahma
9.31998
SeriesDramaComedy
Stories about things that happen in the line of duty to two good friends working in the volunteer road service.
Lehmän vuosiLehmän vuosi · 2006
Lehmän vuosi
7.02006
SeriesDrama
The HobbitsThe Hobbits · 1993
The Hobbits
5.91993
SeriesDramaSci-Fi & Fantasy
Hobitit is a Finnish live action fantasy television miniseries originally broadcast in 1993 on Yle TV1. Produced by Olof Qvickström, it is based on the events of the books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.
The Man Who DiedThe Man Who Died · 2022
The Man Who Died
6.12022
SeriesComedyCrime
Jaakko, a mushroom entrepreneur, finds out too late that he has been fatally slow-poisoned by persons unknown. He sets out to find the culprits before he dies.
Kohtaamiset ja erotKohtaamiset ja erot · 1994
Kohtaamiset ja erot
8.01994
Series
SuojelijatSuojelijat · 2008
Suojelijat
8.02008
SeriesDramaCrime
Taivaan tuletTaivaan tulet · 2007
Taivaan tulet
5.52007
SeriesDrama
SeitsemänSeitsemän · 2001
Seitsemän
8.32001
SeriesDrama
L�ääkärit tulessaLääkärit tulessa · 1998
Lääkärit tulessa
7.31998
SeriesComedy