A biopic of gay erotic artist Touko Laaksonen - better known as Tom of Finland - is currently in the works.

 

The film has been in the planning stages for three years, and will be distributed by Protagonist Pictures once completed.

 

The movie will explore Laaksonen's life, starting at the point he returned home to Helsinki after a distinguished military career and fighting in WWII. However, he quickly discovered that his sexuality was a major issue for his community, and was forced to sneak out to hook-up with men. He found some release through his art, with its celebration of overly masculine and overly hung men.

 

"This is the story of a man ahead of his time, bravely standing up against a world virulently against his right to be who he was – a homosexual man with homosexual fantasies," explained Dome Karukoski, who will be directing the biopic.

 

"The story shows how literally one person can create change in the world, even with something as simple as an artist’s tools."

 

“We would be delighted to work with Dome Karukoski on any film, but on a film portrait of the brilliant Tom Of Finland, it is especially exciting,” said Protagonist chief exec Mike Goodridge. “This is a film about an iconic and inspirational figure which will find audiences all over the world.”

 

The film started shooting recently, but the cast will not be revealed until February 14 at a news conference during the Berlin Film Festival.

 

It will be interesting to see who is cast as his muses ... and if they are as hung as the images depict!

 

 

Protagonist Pictures Boards Dome Karukoski’s ‘Tom Of Finland’ [Deadline]

 

Berlin: ‘Tom of Finland’ Movie to Shoot in Sweden [Variety]