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A unique, gripping drama about the story of Tom of Finland that is a must-see!
The Finnish artist Touko Laaksonen, who, under the alias Tom of Finland, introduced his pornographic and homoerotic drawings of moustachioed men with swelling cocks to the world. Not only caused a huge stir, he soon became an icon of the gay movement. In Tom of Finland, director Dome Karukoski tells the story of the man behind the art in a very funny way.
Tom of Finland – The Story of an Icon
When the Second World War is over, the severely traumatised Touko Laaksonen (Pekka Strang) thought he could finally start a normal life after returning home. But he thought wrong: Touko is not allowed to live the way he wants to. He is gay and in Finland in the 1950s homosexuality is not only forbidden. But anyone caught engaging in homosexual acts is also threatened with imprisonment and physical violence. So he has no choice but to live out his passion in secret and begins to draw his sexual fantasies.
His artwork sells like hot cakes, and Touko is celebrated not only throughout Europe but also in the USA. Despite the success, his private life is marked by the struggle to stand by his great love. Karukoski tells Touko’s story in an insightful and restrained manner. In which contemporary events are also repeatedly illuminated in an authentic way. This thoughtful composition makes Tom of Finland not only an exciting biopic, but also a lively milieu study of the gay movement.
The lives of the characters are marked by fear of social exclusion, persecution and even punishment. Their anxiety is made almost tangible by the script and an excellent interplay of colour and lighting dramaturgy. Karukoski succeeds in subtly interweaving different time levels. As a result, the viewer almost gets the feeling of wandering back and forth at Touko’s side between the here and now and the past.
Karukoski does an excellent job of uniting the film’s twists and turns into a harmonious whole. Which is also due to the great performances of the actors, especially Pekka Strang in the leading role. He always manages to convey the inner (dis)balance and the struggle between fragility and fierce determination in a believable way.
The art of Tom of Finland – between provocation and liberation
“Tom of Finland” is much more than a biopic – it is a visual manifesto for freedom, pride, and sexual self-determination. Touko Laaksonen’s drawings broke radically with the prevailing notions of masculinity in the 1950s and 1960s. At a time when queer identities were made invisible, Tom of Finland celebrated muscular male bodies, leather outfits, and homoerotic intimacy – openly, confidently, and with a wink. This clear visual language made him not only one of the most famous artists of the LGBTQ+ movement, but also a symbol of sexual emancipation worldwide.
With his iconic black-and-white drawings, Tom of Finland created a new type of man: strong, proud, desirable—a counterpoint to the clichéd, weak, or ridiculous image of gay men often conveyed in society at the time. He transformed shame into pride, hiding into visibility.
Tom of Finland as a pioneer of queer aesthetics
The impact of his work extends far beyond the art scene to this day. Whether in fashion, photography, or pop culture, Tom of Finland’s influence is unmistakable. Designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier and Versace were inspired by his drawings, and his style lives on even in the club and fetish scene. The typical “Tom of Finland” look – leather, caps, uniforms, powerful bodies – became a global symbol of male eroticism and queer self-empowerment.
The film “Tom of Finland” also impressively reflects this cultural influence. It shows how oppression and fear can give rise to art that has encouraged generations of queer people. The homage to Laaksonen is not only aesthetically impressive, but also emotionally deeply moving – a piece of film history that makes social change visible.
From underground to worldwide recognition
For a long time, Tom of Finland had to publish his work in secret. It was not until the 1970s, with the growing gay pride movement, that his art found its way into the public eye. In the US, his works appeared in Physique Pictorial magazine – and sparked a wave of enthusiasm. Men recognized themselves in his motifs and finally felt represented.
Today, Tom of Finland is celebrated as one of the most important queer artists of the 20th century. His works hang in museums, his visual language has influenced generations, and the Tom of Finland Foundation Museum in Los Angeles preserves his legacy. The name no longer stands only for art, but for an attitude towards life: courage, desire and pride.
Conclusion: “Tom of Finland” – art that made history
The film “Tom of Finland” is more than the biography of an artist. It is a tribute to all those who rebelled against social constraints, to those who did not hide – and to an icon whose drawings inspired a movement. Tom of Finland showed that art can have political explosive power and that sensuality is an act of liberation.
Anyone interested in queer culture, modern art, or moving biographies should see this film. “Tom of Finland” stands for visibility, strength, and the unbridled power of passion—a masterpiece that shows how art can change the world