Ivo Eensalu
Biography
Ivo Eensalu (born April 3, 1949) is an Estonian actor and theatre director. Eensalu's career began in the early 1970s, and has appeared as an actor on stage, film and in television. He became widely known after appearing on the Eesti Televisioon children's educational television series MĂ”mmi ja aabits. From 1995 until 2001, he was the director of the Estonian Drama Theatre. Ivo Eensalu was born in MĂ€rjamaa in 1949. His father was a carpenter. He graduated from JĂ€rvakandi Secondary School in 1967 and enrolled in the Performing Arts Department of the Tallinn State Conservatory (now, the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre) the following year, studying drama with instructor Voldemar Panso, and graduating in 1972. His diploma production role was that of Eero in Aleksis Kivi's The Seven Brothers, directed by Panso and performed at the Estonian Drama Theatre in Tallinn. Among his graduating classmates were actors Helgi Annast, Vello Janson, Rein Kotkas, Kersti Kreismann, Siim Rulli, TĂ”nis RĂ€tsep, TĂ”nu Saar, Jaak Tamleht, Martin Veinmann, and Juhan Viiding. Eensalu made his feature film screen debut in the role of Vikerkaar in the 1974 Virve Aruoja and Jaan Tooming directed drama VĂ€rvilised unenĂ€od. The following year, he had a more substantial role as Sikk in the Mikk Mikiver directed Tallinnfilm historical drama Indrek, based on the second volume of A. H. Tammsaare's pentalogy TĂ”de ja Ă”igus. During the 1980s, he established himself as a character actor. In 1982, he appeared in the Peeter Simm directed Tallinnfilm adventure film Arabella, mereröövli tĂŒtar, based on the story of the same name by children's writer Aino Pervik. In 1984, he appeared as a village idiot in the Olav Neuland directed historical adventure film Hundiseaduse aegu. In 1992, he appeared in the Lembit Ulfsak directed comedy-family film Lammas all paremas nurgas, and the following year appeared as Ivo in the Kaljo Kiisk directed Tallinnfilm drama Suflöör, the Marek Piestrak directed Estonian-Polish-Russian historical supernatural thriller Saatana pisar, and in the Pekka Karjalainen directed Finnish-Estonian comedy Hysteria. In 1994, he played the role of a Siberian guard in the Jaan Kolberg directed period adventure film JĂŒri Rumm, based on the life of 19th-century itinerant thief and robber Rummu JĂŒri. In 1995, he appeared as a voice actor in the role of Alderman in the Heiki Ernits and Leo LĂ€tti directed animated film Tallinna legendid. Eensalu has been a member of the Estonian Theatre Association since 1973, the Directors' Association since 1992, and the Actors' Union since 1993
Known For & Full Filmography13 Titles
Movie - 1983, 2h 15m âą as Mechanic
A musical comedy about singer Toomas Aringus and rally driver Mati Uibo, whom journalist Tiina Salum considers to be one and the same person due to their external resemblance.
Movie - 1986, 2h 15m âą Main Cast Role
A state commissioned film on the dangers of drunk driving.
Movie - 1994, 2h 15m âą as Prison Guard in Siberia
JĂŒri Rumm is a hot-tempered young peasant who is not afraid of either German barons or the Russian czar, barfights or disobedience to his master's orders. Mari, a gentle peasant girl, loves JĂŒri despite the fact that he is very popular among young women. Evelin is a quick-tempered baron's daughter who is used to get everything she wants, including a peasant boyfriend who considers himself a free man. Yet, the free man becomes an outlaw. Where will the runaway's love lead him?
Movie - 1975, 2h 15m âą as Rainbow (uncredited)
Little Kati spends her summer at her grandma's. Her playmates are the village boys and the whole countryside - animals, flowers, the wind and stones. Kati conjures up the sun and floats above the fields of flowers and the whole universe. There is no borderline between reality and the magic world. Is it possible to play the same game also at her home in the city?
Movie - 1995, 2h 15m âą as Mayor (voice)
Tallinn is known for its medieval old town. However, not only the old houses and streets have been preserved, we have also come down to ancient legends related to these places. The film is about the Oleviste Church and the mysterious craftsman who built one of the world's tallest towers for this church at one time.
Movie - 1986, 2h 15m âą Main Cast Role
The love story of Liza Pesentak and the fearless patriot Melelave, who will go through a series of various trials before they find their happiness.
Movie - 1993, 2h 15m âą as Ivo
The last film directed by Kaljo Kiisk has been dedicated to theatre and the people in theatre. You are entering the hectic world of musicians, zanies and jesters - and don't expect to hear a symphony but a single delicate sound of a flute.
Movie - 1993, 2h 15m âą as Hotels Doorkeeper
Tallinn, Estonia, days before outbreak of World War II. Hotel detective and Polish writer team up to find Tear of the Prince of Darkness, a legendary ring which can bring Satanâs rule over the world.
Movie - 1983, 2h 15m âą as Gendarme #3
Arabella is a daughter of the world's most terrifying pirate captain. She loves her father but also dreams about a life of a usual girl. One day a weird stranger is saved from the sea who will be the only friend of Arabella. At the same time a rival pirate called Raudpats plans to kidnap the girl. Will she be safe and can she ever live a normal life?
Movie - 1980, 2h 15m âą as Baker
The story of the town of Cardamom and the people there, as well as the only characters who stir up serious trouble.
Movie - 1992, 2h 15m âą as Father of Five Daughters
A warm movie about two boys, who discover a secret of a painting that was considered to be lost. The adventures begin, when a boss of a bunch of criminals finds out about the painting.
Movie - 1976, 2h 15m âą as Sikk
Based on the second part of the pentalogy "Truth and Justice" by Anton H. Tammsaare.
Movie - 1988, 2h 15m âą as Firefighter
Karlsson is a very short, portly and overconfident man who lives in a small house hidden behind a chimney on the roof of a very ordinary apartment building on a very ordinary street in Stockholm. When Karlsson pushes a button on his stomach, it starts a clever little motor with a propeller on his back, allowing him to fly. Karlsson is the best at everything, at least by his own account. In actual fact there is one thing at which he excels: being a playmate to a young boy named Svante, nicknamed Lillebror (little brother), who lives in the apartment building with his family. Karlsson is quite mischievous, often getting Lillebror in trouble, but everyone in the end â even Lillebror's family, his cranky uncle, and their dour housekeeper â grow to like Karlsson and appreciate his sense of humour, energy, and good nature.