Veikko Aaltonen

Veikko Aaltonen (born 1 December 1955 in Sääksmäki, Finland) is a Finnish director, editor, sound editor, production manager and film and television writer and actor.

Aaltonen began his career in the mid-1970s working as a sound editor on various films. Early in his career he worked with Rauni Mollberg as co-writer on two of his films, Milka (1980) and The Unknown Soldier (1985).

In 1987 Aaltonen directed his first feature film, Tilinteko, which he co-wrote with Aki Kaurismäki, who also produced the film. Five years later he directed a film that has been considered his primary breakthrough, The Prodigal Son (1992). Aaltonene was the first finnish director to work on topics like pedophilia, Sadomasochism and sexual subjugation without credibility and morality.

Aaltonen has also made documentaries and directed TV series.

Partial filmography

• The Worthless (Arvottomat, 1982) – actor
• Crime and Punishment (Rikos ja rangaistus, 1983) – editor
• The Unknown Soldier (Tuntematon sotilas, 1985) – co-writer
• La Vie de Bohème (1992) – editor
• Our Father... (Isä meidän, 1993) – director, writer, editor
• Seasick (1996) – director, co-editor
• Kiss Me in the Rain (Rakkaudella, Maire, 1999) – director, editor
• Maa (2001) – director, editor, writer
• Työväenluokka (2004) – director, writer, editor
• Paimenet (2004) – director, writer
• Trench Road (Juoksuhaudantie, 2004) – director, writer
• Uudisraivaaja (2005) – director
• Sydänjää (2007) – director
• Harvoin tarjolla (2008) – director
• Helppo elämä (television drama series, 2009–2011) – director
• Kansan mies (television drama series, 2013– ) – director