Film Review: "Tom Of Finland"

Niklas Hogner as Tom of Finland's character "Kake."
Photo by Josef Persson, courtesy Kino Lorber.

Back in the day, straight men had their pin-up girls, and gay men (secretly) had "Tom of Finland."

Opening today in New York City and in Los Angeles/San Francisco October 20 prior to national release, make sure you see Tom of Finland.

The film, Finland's official submission for 2018 Academy Awards Foreign Language category, chronicles the journey of gay artist Touko Laaksonen.

A decorated officer in World War II, Laaksonen returns home after a harrowing and heroic experience serving his country.

But life in Finland during peacetime proves equally distressing. He finds post-war Helsinki rampant with homophobic persecution, and gay men around him are being pressured to marry women and have children. Touko finds refuge in his liberating art: homoerotic drawings of hyper-masculine men, free of inhibitions.

But it is only when an American publisher sees Laaksonen's work and invites him to travel to the West Coast that his life came into focus. Finally living free and proud in Los Angeles, Tuoko dives head first into the sexual revolution, becoming an icon and a rallying point.

His work – made famous by his signature ‘Tom of Finland’ – became the emblem of a generation of men and fanned the flames of the worldwide gay revolution.

Award-winning filmmaker Dome Karukoski brings to screen the life and work of one of the most influential and celebrated figures of twentieth-century LGBTQ culture.

When I first heard of a film called Tom of Finland, I actually expected something of a different nature. Something a bit more "Tom of Finland." Considering the subject matter I was surprised that the creators were a bit shy about nudity in the film.

But that's not to say this film doesn't deliver.

Pekka Strang gives a thoughtful and sensitive performance as Laaksonen. And Karukoski makes creative use of Laaksonen's muse "Kake," who appears when the artist finds himself in turmoil.

While the first half of the film lays the foundation for pensive story-telling, I think audiences will find the second half, as Laaksonen evolves as a mature gay man and artist, more compelling.

Seeing Strang take in the impact of Laaksonen's drawings on the gay community in Los Angeles during the sexual revolution of the 70s is potent stuff.

Kudos to cinematographer Lasse Frank Johannessen's eye for shadow and light, especially during dramatically taut late-night park scenes as men search for physical connections.

The score by Lasse Enersen and Hildur Guðnadóttir offers emotional support and nuance.

While homosexual persecution in Finland sounds a century away, it's all too relevant with gay men in Chechnya being hunted down, tortured and killed today. The realities Laaksonen faced are not behind us.

The film has been extremely well received at film festivals all over the world (official selection at Tribeca International Film Festival and Outfest 2017) and is Finland's official submission for 2018 Academy Awards.

Watch the trailer below. And head over to the film's website for release dates in your city.