The greatness of Vesa-Matti Loir is said a lot by how kindly he treated young actors, writes Iltalehti news manager Juho Rissanen.
This is what Yle’s Christmas calendar The Reindeer Whisperer’s Riddle looked like. In the picture, looking from the left, the actors Kreeta Salminen, Pirkka-Pekka Petelius, Vesa-Matti Loiri, Vesa Vierikko and Ville Majamaa. VELI-MARTTI KOIVUNEN / YLE
I had the great honor of acting together Vesa-Matti Loirin with the Riddle of the Reindeer Whisperer in Ylen’s Christmas Calendar series, which was shown on television in December 2014.
I acted as one of the elves in Santa’s workshop, and Loiri, of course, self-righteously played Santa.
Christmas Calendar: The Reindeer Whisperer’s Riddle, was a huge success. It gathered 500,000 viewers every day and the program was also considered with a Venla nomination.
What was it like to act together with Vesa-Matti Loir? Well, absolutely amazing of course!
I was very excited to meet Loir in advance. After all, he had practically delighted and entertained me in his unforgettable roles throughout my life. Both as Uuno Turhapuro in movies and in numerous hilarious TV series together Spede Pasanen and Simo Salminen with.
I also liked his music and had been to several of his concerts. Among Loir’s films, one of my biggest personal favorites is Hei kliffa hei (1985), in which Loir’s multitasking cat Auvo drifts into the most incredible adventures in the hope of getting rich.
During the filming of the Christmas calendar at Yle’s Tampere studios, Loiri was a little tired, but handled his role with iron professionalism. He treated everyone kindly and the best thing was that he had time and energy to talk with our younger amateur actors every now and then.
During filming breaks, in the back room of the studio, Loiri talked in a good-natured way about very everyday things, including her cats and her hobby of trotting games, and asked us about the news from the cast of elves. Loir had none of the antics of a big star, he was just like any of us. At times, he also got excited to reminisce about his days as a student at Teatterikorkeakoulu.
I personally had the honor of carrying Loir the short distance from the back room to the studio, as the acting legend’s legs were not in very good condition at the time. Loiri probably sensed my tension, because he usually lightened the situation by cracking a joke.
Over the years, I have acted in TV series with other well-known Finnish actors, and some of them can sometimes be a bit diva-like, grumpy or arrogant on set. Loir, however, did not show any such features in the descriptions of the Christmas calendar. He was always 100% professional, and always brought a good mood to the set and encouraged the rest of us as well.
It also says a lot about Loir’s greatness that even in his old age he continued and wanted to make a program that he knew would bring joy and good mood, especially to children. Of course, of high quality Timo Parvelan from writing the script, of Johanna Smith directed and produced by Juuso Räsänen, the series is also enjoyed by many adults.
I will never forget these moments that I got to spend with the legendary master actor during the few shooting days together.
Vesa-Matti Loir certainly has a place in the heart of almost every Finn, and his art and humor will conquer new and new generations over the decades.