Touko returns home after the war as a Lieutenant in the Finnish Army traumatized. He is gay and made some friends in war, but now he is back to a society where not only being gay was illegal but so was the creation of his now iconic works of art. He has been inclined towards piano and creating art. He lives with his sister, who suspects of him being gay but never encourages it. There are many a times where he evades arrests while he publicly cruises men. He has a dominating obsession with muscles, motorcycles and leather-bound men and starts drawing them. He thinks he is doing a good job but doesn't have the courage to show his work to anyone. Enter Veli, a new roommate to the brother-sister duo and before you know it Veli and Touko are a couple. Veli encourages him to continue his art and somehow show it to the world. He knows this will not be easy in Europe or Finland and it's only when he ships some of his work off to L.A. that Tom, whose "of Finland" was added by Bob Mizer of Physique Pictorial Magazine, that he begins to create the world in which he so much wants to live. As his art gets discovered and appreciated, the man comes out of his shell and blossoms in a manner that shows some restraint and carefulness. He gets love and support from the gay men in LA area. Meanwhile at home his partner gets sick and eventually dies but ask Touko a promise to make sure his work will continue to shine. Things go south during the AIDS epidemic when suddenly things start going against his art as we'll. But continue support of his friends in LA, especially this gay couple who were the first ones to invite him to US, he ends up publishing a book of memoirs of 'Tom of Finland' pics ending the film in a rousing standing ovation to him in a big arena but leather clad gay patrons.
Even though a lot of us do not know the main behind 'Tom of Finland' ,I found it very very enjoyable to see on screen the man's life unfold. It was such an exciting film. It is surprisingly a straight forward film, devoid of too many expletives or anything. It very much brings to life that Tom's own life journey seemingly mirrored that of the culture he influenced as his early rejection and struggles gave way to self-acceptance, love, courage and cultural change. I am not sure the truth, but it seems that it was through his pictures and art, that the gay caricatures shifted from 'sissies' to one of muscle, strength and empowerment. His men were muscular, hot, well endowed at all the right places and erotic to another level. The film is shot in a manner that is classy, talented, yet still eye-opening. The direction keeps things sober, even in the most flamboyant parts of the film, turning a film that could easily have been exploitative into something that is classy and respectful of its subject and his life. All the actors have done a marvelous job, especially the lead, who no doubt, shows over 5 decades of live of the man whose contribution to the gay culture can never be questioned. He did more than just draw muscular, skimpily-clad men, he had a reason to do so and his art opened up doors for a slew of people. His partner and his sister give their support in their own ways, although his sister was a bit of homophobe. The actors playing those parts do a wonderful job. IN fact, the entire cast. Direction, costumes production quality is all top notch.
A lot of scenes and his story resonated with me and I could feel the pain, anger, the fear, the love ; everything that Touko was going through. Tom of Finland is a wonderful, touching movie about an artist who is so very important to the gay community. It sheds a warm light on an artist whose work has left a lasting impact on the creation of a more inclusive society. It's a touching biography, and I would highly recommend this film. (8/10)
Comments
It's a very Finnish thing to consider all the historical details very thoroughly and it's fascinating to watch the cars, trains, buildings and outfits become everyday items on screen, although the audience knows that some of those are literally museum items. The other thing the Finnish directors showcase really well is nature, down to the level of the viewer being able to smell the fresh snow or the damp dust on a gravel path after rain.
I watched this film a few years ago on TV and I still remember two scenes that were executed really well. First was the Midsummer party (again - a THING in this region) where Kaija goes to test the old folks' tale, rolls herself down the bank of the lake and actually sees the reflection of the man she wants on the water... kissing her brother. The second was of Touko and Veli going to the fabric store and buying the yellow fabric for curtains and seizing the day when the sales lady asks if they want to add rings to the curtains. Two pieces of ice drifting apart representing the passing of Veli was also emotional in its minimalism.
We had a rather rebellious art history teacher in high school, so of course she included Tom of Finland as part of the fashion history. Especially his approach on leather - for him it was a living, breathing, moving material that becomes a partner to the person wearing it.
There is something special about his name as well. Touko means "seed time/planting time" and Valio is "the chosen one", so by starting something revolutionary he was simply acting his name. His alias Tom is somewhat feline and there were many catlike situations in his life as was shown in the film as well - nightly walks in the park, escaping through the window, finding like-minded daredevils as partners in crime and stubbornly staying true to his goal. What's in a name? Everything.
P.S! Btw, have you seen this documentary? ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104045/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_4 )
P.P.S! And a really good live tour in Fotografiska Tallinn ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSJfOwV0UHI&t=1255s ), about the connections between his photographs and drawings. Enlightening.
I will check outage links that you have sent me at some point for sure.
From Miisu:
Meanwhile in the green room some series have ended.
"Hit Bite Love" - NO! Asking nicely and yada yada yada - no. Please. Spare your eyesight and the last remaining brain cells. Unconvincing, messy, all over the place and such large blanks in the story that "feeling meh" doesn't even begin to describe it. If you want to see the topic of BDSM in Thai series, "Unforgotten Night" is way more coherent, although with loads of goofs and wtf-s.
"Never Let Me Go" - mafia baby and bodyguard trope, bought me quite cheap. Tattoo artist mother, a bar named after a long time favorite song of mine ("My Michelle"), beaches and scooters - a pretty good pastime treat.
"Warp Effect" - different. Maybe it was meant to be an educational... eem... manual - ? about all sorts of sexually transmitted problems. It's not a 100% BL though.
"My School President" - hide your excitement, another high school setting :D But seeing this series made me appreciate the main couple's work in the next series much more since they don't have that much text there (not spoiling). Fluff alert :D
"Moonlight Chicken" - If someone finds the right words to describe this amazingly delicate watercolor painting come alive, now is the time, since I'm totally out of words. No cringes at all. Meaningful stories. Something to think about. Great production. Result: serious separation anxiety. There are a few summaries about this series saying that when the two protagonists meet, one of them is "taken". I wouldn't call that situation "being taken" at all. Confusing, yes - but not taken-taken. The main couple of "My School President" plays the second couple here and the result is excellent. And for once in a million times in Thai BL the Full Moon as a symbol is used the right way.
This scene where Touko arrives in the US and its freedom and openness is stunning.
And the wedding proposal with the rings was quite subtle and well thought. They didn't say they spent 28 years together!
Miisu your comment is so interresting too, thank you!
but yeah art changes people's mind and has that impact. There are so many subtle scenes here that it's almost impossible to keep a track of everything meaningful we see in the film. A good example of how a biopic should be made (unlike the YSL one)
And coming back to the film itself again - there's a clear difference in the outcome depending on what the writers/directors focus on. If it's intrigue, private life and personal blemishes, the result is something cheap and tabloid-like. The scripts that focus on the achievements and creative work usually end up being more interesting - and rewatchable (or readable).
P.S! Yellow curtains took me back to Skam again :D
I am glad you enjoyed it again in your second viewing.
The other good part besides the art itself was people watching. Most of the audience were Finnish, a few couples of Tom's men in leather jackets, a few younger same sex couples holding hands, loads of women of all ages, art students (discussing techniques and admiring the detailing, comparing to other artists' work), elderly women, and the best was a young mother with her about 5-yr old son. Everyone was taking time and the room with a wide screen showing an interview with Tom of Finland was full of audience. There was no age restriction for children, only a reminder "parental or guardian discretion is advised due to explicit sexual imagery". Got my proof: the Finns are proud of Tom of Finland just like they're proud of their music, Fazer chocolate, Nokia and Moomin characters :)