Premiering at Goteborg Film Festival where it won the Fipresci Prize and moving on to Tribeca before playing many other festivals, Tom of Finland would seem to be testing the Academy with such a gay subject, but no more so than France with Bpm, Beats Per Minute, and South Africa’s The Wound, or in the past with Milk and the Celluloid Closet, and certainly within the context of the Academy Awards’ diversity this season, with Moonlight, a possible winner of best picture, and Luca Guadagnino’s stunningly beautiful Call Me by Your Name with Armie Hammer looking to make a run at Best Actor, the Academy’s spotty record of recognizing gay-themed cinema may be improving.
Obviously, with such iconic art, the Lgbtq world would be writing at length about this film and here I quote Blade, America’s Lgbt News Source article by Michael Jortner:
But what...
Obviously, with such iconic art, the Lgbtq world would be writing at length about this film and here I quote Blade, America’s Lgbt News Source article by Michael Jortner:
But what...
- 11/10/2017
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Pekka Strang, the Finnish actor-director who stars in the upcoming Dome Karukoski-helmed film Tom of Finland, wishes he could have met the title character of the biopic, whose real name was Touko Laaksonen. Pekka Strang Talks Tom Of Finland Laaksonen was an iconic artist who depicted erotic gay art. His subversive style was not accepted during his lifetime, but […]
Source: uInterview
The post Pekka Strang On ‘Tom Of Finland,’ Tom’s Legacy [Video Exclusive] appeared first on uInterview.
Source: uInterview
The post Pekka Strang On ‘Tom Of Finland,’ Tom’s Legacy [Video Exclusive] appeared first on uInterview.
- 10/23/2017
- by Hillary Luehring-Jones
- Uinterview
Human Flow by Chinese-born artist Ai Weiwei catapulted above a crowded list of new Specialty releases over the weekend, topping out a fairly unimpressive Friday to Sunday among limited releases. The Amazon Studios title bowed in three theaters, grossing $47K, averaging $15,667. Kino Lorber's Tom Of Finland also opened to decent numbers in its exclusive New York bow, taking in $13K. Other more high-profile debuts averaged less than half of that. Searchlight's Goodbye Christ…...
- 10/15/2017
- Deadline
A man named Touko Laaksonen gained notoriety in the gay community under the name Tom of Finland for his erotic artwork, which featured butch muscle men in the tightest possible pants engaging each other with their exuberantly large members. His drawings are knowingly exaggerated and uncomplicatedly celebratory of images of male power like cops and bikers. Director Dome Karukoski’s disappointingly tame biopic “Tom of Finland” positions Tom (Pekka Strang) as an unlikely gay pioneer who fights on the Finnish side against the Russians in World War II and finds time to cruise for men in between missions. (Karukoski even cross-cuts.
- 10/11/2017
- by Dan Callahan
- The Wrap
"Conquer America for me." Kino Lorber has debuted an official trailer for the Finnish indie drama Tom of Finland, a fictional feature film profile of the Finnish man who became known as "Tom of Finland". After returning home from WWII, Touko Laaksonen fled to America to escape homosexual persecution. There he established himself as one of the most influential and celebrated figures of 20th century gay culture. "Tom of Finland" drew erotic art of gay men, most often wearing leather outfits, which became a symbol of gay culture at the time. Pekka Strang plays "Tom of Finland", with a cast including Lauri Tilkanen, Jessica Grabowsky, Werner Daehn, and Kari Hietalahti. This premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year, and played at numerous other film festivals. It looks like it has a strong lead performance at least. Here's the first trailer (+ poster) for Dome Karukoski's Tom of Finland,...
- 9/13/2017
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Pekka Strang gives a fine performance as Touko Laaksonen, whose leather-wearing fantasy men were an inspiration for generations to come
The story of Touko Laaksonen, the artist who helped shape the tastes of a generation of gay men, Tom of Finland is almost as handsome and glossy as the drawings of luxuriantly leather-clad fantasy figures with which he made his name. Having served during the second world war with distinction, Laaksonen (a sober, watchful performance from Pekka Strang) returns home to Finland to be reminded that, as a gay man, he is perceived as the enemy.
In a society that considered homosexuality a crime or a deviance, Laaksonen, using the pen name Tom of Finland, imagined an unfettered alternative – a sexuality that filled its figure-hugging trousers with joy and promise, along with other more obvious attributes. While Dome Karukoski’s film-making feels quite cautious next to the balls-out bravery of his subject,...
The story of Touko Laaksonen, the artist who helped shape the tastes of a generation of gay men, Tom of Finland is almost as handsome and glossy as the drawings of luxuriantly leather-clad fantasy figures with which he made his name. Having served during the second world war with distinction, Laaksonen (a sober, watchful performance from Pekka Strang) returns home to Finland to be reminded that, as a gay man, he is perceived as the enemy.
In a society that considered homosexuality a crime or a deviance, Laaksonen, using the pen name Tom of Finland, imagined an unfettered alternative – a sexuality that filled its figure-hugging trousers with joy and promise, along with other more obvious attributes. While Dome Karukoski’s film-making feels quite cautious next to the balls-out bravery of his subject,...
- 8/13/2017
- by Wendy Ide
- The Guardian - Film News
Dome Karukoski: 'When discussing with the hardcore Tom fans, the answer often was: The drawings are my sex, now I want to see the story behind the artist' Photo: Kino Lorber Dome Karukoski: 'I’ve always been an outsider. I relate to that' Photo: Kino Lorber Biopic Tom Of Finland – written by Aleksi Bardi and directed Dome Karukoski, who has recently announced a Jrr Tolkien biopic is his next project – tells the story of the Finnish artist behind the drawings that fuelled much of the gay iconography of the Seventies and Eighties. The film, starring Pekka Strang as the artist, tracks Touko Laaksonen from his experiences in the Second World War to his development of the pen name Tom of Finland – necessary because of his homeland’s draconian anti-gay laws – up to the loss and grief of the AIDS epidemic. We caught up with him via email to chat about the film.
- 8/11/2017
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Pekka Strang stars as the Finnish wartime artist Touko Laaksonen, whose homoerotic illustrations helped create the iconography of gay culture
Finnish artist Touko Laaksonen, known by his nom de plume Tom of Finland, is brought above the radar of cultural history in this well-acted biopic.
In postwar Helsinki, in conditions of the gravest illegality, Laaksonen produced thousands on thousands of homoerotic fetish illustrations, showing bulgingly endowed leather-clad guys having an unapologetic good time. Tom of Finland’s work reached the liberated Us in the 1960s via mail order, and he became a counterculture hero of gay liberation, virtually inventing a whole language of hedonism that influenced Queen, the Village People and the club scene.
Continue reading...
Finnish artist Touko Laaksonen, known by his nom de plume Tom of Finland, is brought above the radar of cultural history in this well-acted biopic.
In postwar Helsinki, in conditions of the gravest illegality, Laaksonen produced thousands on thousands of homoerotic fetish illustrations, showing bulgingly endowed leather-clad guys having an unapologetic good time. Tom of Finland’s work reached the liberated Us in the 1960s via mail order, and he became a counterculture hero of gay liberation, virtually inventing a whole language of hedonism that influenced Queen, the Village People and the club scene.
Continue reading...
- 8/10/2017
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Author: Linda Marric
Once an illegal homoerotica and porn artist, Touko Laaksonen became symbolic of his native Finland when his controversial artwork was awarded the highest accolade an artist could ever dream of receiving. After years of being derided, mocked and persecuted by the authorities for subverting younger men, his now iconic artwork became the first of its type to appear on a national postage stamp. In Tom of Finland, a pseudonym under which Laaksonen became known, acclaimed Finnish director Dome Karukoski tells the story of how a war hero from Helsinki came to symbolise gay liberation in America and around the world, some even crediting him with inventing the concept of “leather bars” and “the Castro clones”, two aesthetics which have become emblematic of Lgbt history.
After fighting in WWII and returning home a decorated war hero, Touko Laaksonen (Pekka Strang) is still shellshocked by his harrowing experiences serving his country.
Once an illegal homoerotica and porn artist, Touko Laaksonen became symbolic of his native Finland when his controversial artwork was awarded the highest accolade an artist could ever dream of receiving. After years of being derided, mocked and persecuted by the authorities for subverting younger men, his now iconic artwork became the first of its type to appear on a national postage stamp. In Tom of Finland, a pseudonym under which Laaksonen became known, acclaimed Finnish director Dome Karukoski tells the story of how a war hero from Helsinki came to symbolise gay liberation in America and around the world, some even crediting him with inventing the concept of “leather bars” and “the Castro clones”, two aesthetics which have become emblematic of Lgbt history.
After fighting in WWII and returning home a decorated war hero, Touko Laaksonen (Pekka Strang) is still shellshocked by his harrowing experiences serving his country.
- 8/9/2017
- by Linda Marric
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
My Name is Lenny set to world premiere at London festival.
The East End Film Festival has unveiled its programme for 2017.
Films set to play the event’s 16th edition this summer include biopics of Us rapper Tupac Shakur (All Eyez on Me) and iconic Finnish artist Tom of Finland (Tom Of Finland).
World premieres at the festival this year include boxing film My Name is Lenny, which features one of John Hurt’s final performances.
This year’s edition will also feature a series of documentaries on subjects such as Brexit and the death penalty in America.
In addition, there will be a number of films screening themed around the community heritage and roots of London’s East End.
An industry-focused ‘Unpacking British Cinema’ event will also take place, including a panel discussion with the cast and crew of The Hippopotamus.
As previously repoted, the festival is launching a new £10,000 award this year dubbed Mind The Gap, which...
The East End Film Festival has unveiled its programme for 2017.
Films set to play the event’s 16th edition this summer include biopics of Us rapper Tupac Shakur (All Eyez on Me) and iconic Finnish artist Tom of Finland (Tom Of Finland).
World premieres at the festival this year include boxing film My Name is Lenny, which features one of John Hurt’s final performances.
This year’s edition will also feature a series of documentaries on subjects such as Brexit and the death penalty in America.
In addition, there will be a number of films screening themed around the community heritage and roots of London’s East End.
An industry-focused ‘Unpacking British Cinema’ event will also take place, including a panel discussion with the cast and crew of The Hippopotamus.
As previously repoted, the festival is launching a new £10,000 award this year dubbed Mind The Gap, which...
- 5/10/2017
- ScreenDaily
New York is a mecca for queer culture of all stripes. Set in the heart of downtown Manhattan, just a short walk from the cruising piers of Christopher street and the cocktail lounges of Chelsea, the Tribeca Film Festival is a natural home for Lgbtq creators and projects. From lesser known indie films to highly anticipated studio television shows, experimental Vr and new online work from queer up and comers pushing the conversation into new territory, the festival’s 16th edition offers plenty for the queer-minded.
Read More: Why ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Is the Most Anticipated Screening of the Tribeca Film Festival
Here is a guide to the five best Lgbtq projects playing the festival this year.
“Tom of Finland”
Now, here is a biopic we can get behind (or underneath, whatever your preference).
The cult icon Tom of Finland is renowned for his homoerotic drawings of beefcakes in...
Read More: Why ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Is the Most Anticipated Screening of the Tribeca Film Festival
Here is a guide to the five best Lgbtq projects playing the festival this year.
“Tom of Finland”
Now, here is a biopic we can get behind (or underneath, whatever your preference).
The cult icon Tom of Finland is renowned for his homoerotic drawings of beefcakes in...
- 4/20/2017
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
A film about the life and work of erotic artist and Lgbt symbol Tom of Finland has etched out a North American release from boutique distributor Kino Lorber. Dome Karukoski’s “Tom of Finland” follows the artist Touko Laaksonen, a trailblazer in a suppressive post-wwii culture who “drew thousands of fantasy-filled, homoerotic images of intensely masculine (and muscular) men, often liberated from the moral codes of their times,” a synopsis said. “Finland,” a Helsinki Film production, makes its U.S. premiere next at week’s Tribeca Film Festival. It’s also being scouted by various stateside Lgbt festivals. In its native Finland,...
- 4/14/2017
- by Matt Donnelly
- The Wrap
Tom of Finland, the critically acclaimed film from well-regarded Finnish director Dome Karukoski about the life and work of local artist Touko Laaksonen, has been picked up by Kino Lorber, which grabbed all North American rights. Karukoski is about to make a name for himself in this country as he was just hired to direct the Keanu Reeves, Isla Fisher-starring dramedy The Starling. The film is set to have its North American premiere at the upcoming Tribeca Film festival…...
- 4/14/2017
- Deadline
Keep up with the wild and wooly world of indie film acquisitions with our weekly Rundown of everything that’s been picked up around the globe. Check out last week’s Rundown here.
– Gravitas Ventures has acquired the U.S. theatrical, digital and video rights to “Elián,” the story of Elián González, a five-year-old Cuban boy plucked from the Florida Straits on Thanksgiving Day in 1999, and how the fight over his future sparked a flashpoint for U.S. and Cuban tensions. Directed by Ross McDonnell and Tim Golden, the film is executive produced by Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions.
Read More: Film Acquisition Rundown: Fox Searchlight Picks Up ‘The Spy With No Name,’ FilmRise Buys ‘Marjorie Prime’ and More
“Elián” is slated for a platform theatrical release beginning in New York and Los Angeles on May 19. The film will also be premiering at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival on...
– Gravitas Ventures has acquired the U.S. theatrical, digital and video rights to “Elián,” the story of Elián González, a five-year-old Cuban boy plucked from the Florida Straits on Thanksgiving Day in 1999, and how the fight over his future sparked a flashpoint for U.S. and Cuban tensions. Directed by Ross McDonnell and Tim Golden, the film is executive produced by Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions.
Read More: Film Acquisition Rundown: Fox Searchlight Picks Up ‘The Spy With No Name,’ FilmRise Buys ‘Marjorie Prime’ and More
“Elián” is slated for a platform theatrical release beginning in New York and Los Angeles on May 19. The film will also be premiering at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival on...
- 4/14/2017
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
Separately, Tribeca selections Elián goes to Gravitas Ventures while From The Ashes lands at National Geographic. Factory 25 takes Tribeca 2016 entry Icaros: A Vision.
Kino Lorber has acquired all North American rights to Tom Of Finland, Dome Karukoski’s biopic about the life and work of Finnish artist and gay icon Touko Laaksonen.
Laaksonen was a pioneer in postwar erotic art whose work inspired the early days of the gay liberation movement and became a symbol for generations of Lgbtq people worldwide.
Pekka Strang, Lauri Tilkanen, Jessica Grabowsky, Taisto Oksanen, Seumas Sargent, Jakob Oftebro and Niklas Hogner star in the Helsinki Film production.
The film’s screenwriter Aleksi Bardy produced alongside Miia Haavisto and Annika Sucksdorff of Helsinki Film.
Gunnar Carlsson of Anagram Väst in Sweden, Miriam Nørgaard of Fridthjof Film in Denmark, and Ingvar Thordarson and Sophie Mahlo of Neutrinos Productions Germany were co-producers, in collaboration with Mike Downey and Sam Taylor of Film and Music Entertainment...
Kino Lorber has acquired all North American rights to Tom Of Finland, Dome Karukoski’s biopic about the life and work of Finnish artist and gay icon Touko Laaksonen.
Laaksonen was a pioneer in postwar erotic art whose work inspired the early days of the gay liberation movement and became a symbol for generations of Lgbtq people worldwide.
Pekka Strang, Lauri Tilkanen, Jessica Grabowsky, Taisto Oksanen, Seumas Sargent, Jakob Oftebro and Niklas Hogner star in the Helsinki Film production.
The film’s screenwriter Aleksi Bardy produced alongside Miia Haavisto and Annika Sucksdorff of Helsinki Film.
Gunnar Carlsson of Anagram Väst in Sweden, Miriam Nørgaard of Fridthjof Film in Denmark, and Ingvar Thordarson and Sophie Mahlo of Neutrinos Productions Germany were co-producers, in collaboration with Mike Downey and Sam Taylor of Film and Music Entertainment...
- 4/13/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Touko Laaksonen was once an illegal underground porn artist, notorious in gay circles for his fetishistic fantasias of uniformed muscle men with square jaws, supernaturally swollen biceps and colossal phallic weaponry. But Laaksonen, who found belated fame under the alias Tom of Finland, is now globally respected as a pioneer of homoerotic iconography and a highly skilled artist in his own right. His instantly recognizable work is well-hung in prestigious galleries, including Moma in New York, and has even been celebrated on Finnish postal stamps.
Tom of Finland chronicles Laaksonen's life in a thoughtful if conventional manner, with a lightly...
Tom of Finland chronicles Laaksonen's life in a thoughtful if conventional manner, with a lightly...
- 2/8/2017
- by Stephen Dalton
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A total of 18 work in progress projects will participate in this year’s Nordic Film Market.Scroll down for full line up
The works in progress titles set to take part in this year’s Nordic Film Market (Feb 2-5) at the Goteborg Film Festival (Jan 27 – Feb 6) have been revealed.
Among them is Borg vs McEnroe, Jans Metz’s tennis biopic starring Shia Labeouf as John McEnroe and rising Swedish talent Sverrir Gudnason as his rival Bjorn Borg.
Sf International is handling international sales and has already tied up multiple deals including Curzon Artificial Eye for the UK and Nordisk Film for Scandinavia.
Also featuring as a work in progress is The Square, the latest feature from director Ruben Östlund, whose credits include Bafta-nominated avalanche comedy-drama Force Majeure.
The Swedish filmmaker’s English-language debut stars Elisabeth Moss and Dominic West in the story of an artist who installs an unusual exhibition in a public square. The Coproduction...
The works in progress titles set to take part in this year’s Nordic Film Market (Feb 2-5) at the Goteborg Film Festival (Jan 27 – Feb 6) have been revealed.
Among them is Borg vs McEnroe, Jans Metz’s tennis biopic starring Shia Labeouf as John McEnroe and rising Swedish talent Sverrir Gudnason as his rival Bjorn Borg.
Sf International is handling international sales and has already tied up multiple deals including Curzon Artificial Eye for the UK and Nordisk Film for Scandinavia.
Also featuring as a work in progress is The Square, the latest feature from director Ruben Östlund, whose credits include Bafta-nominated avalanche comedy-drama Force Majeure.
The Swedish filmmaker’s English-language debut stars Elisabeth Moss and Dominic West in the story of an artist who installs an unusual exhibition in a public square. The Coproduction...
- 1/26/2017
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
Dome Karukoski’s biopic will have its world premiere at the Swedish festival.
The world premiere of Dome Karukoski’s Tom Of Finland will open the 2017 Goteborg Film Festival (January 27–February 6).
In honour of the festival’s 40th anniversary, the film will show not only at Goteborg’s Draken cinema but also at a total of 40 locations throughout the region.
The film is a biopic of Touko Laaksonen, the gay art icon who became known as Tom of Finland. The story follows his life as a soldier during the Second World War, through violence and persecution in Helsinki, to liberation in liberal California. Pekka Strang plays the lead role.
“We are very proud about being able to screen Tom Of Finland as the opening film. It’s a beautiful, intelligent and deeply moving portrayal of a fascinating life and a unique artistry. Tom Of Finland is an artistically powerful film possessing great power to attract international attention...
The world premiere of Dome Karukoski’s Tom Of Finland will open the 2017 Goteborg Film Festival (January 27–February 6).
In honour of the festival’s 40th anniversary, the film will show not only at Goteborg’s Draken cinema but also at a total of 40 locations throughout the region.
The film is a biopic of Touko Laaksonen, the gay art icon who became known as Tom of Finland. The story follows his life as a soldier during the Second World War, through violence and persecution in Helsinki, to liberation in liberal California. Pekka Strang plays the lead role.
“We are very proud about being able to screen Tom Of Finland as the opening film. It’s a beautiful, intelligent and deeply moving portrayal of a fascinating life and a unique artistry. Tom Of Finland is an artistically powerful film possessing great power to attract international attention...
- 1/10/2017
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Wendy Mitchell reports from the festival’s inaugural work in progress session; further titles presented were Winter Brothers, Drib, Under The Tree and Tom Of Finland.
Casting Bjorn Borg’s 13-year-old son Leo to play his father in Borg/McEnroe wasn’t a publicity stunt, the film’s director Janus Metz explained.
“Casting him was a very magical, strange process. We were looking for kids age 13-15 with a talent for sports, and weren’t public that this was for a film about Bjorn Borg. We got in a casting tape for Leo Borg,” the director said.
“For a long time I didn’t want Leo in the movie, because I was genuinely afraid it would be perceived as a publicity stunt,” Metz explained. “But he of course looks like his dad, he’s one of the best tennis players in Sweden in his age group, it’s just so interesting. He had the...
Casting Bjorn Borg’s 13-year-old son Leo to play his father in Borg/McEnroe wasn’t a publicity stunt, the film’s director Janus Metz explained.
“Casting him was a very magical, strange process. We were looking for kids age 13-15 with a talent for sports, and weren’t public that this was for a film about Bjorn Borg. We got in a casting tape for Leo Borg,” the director said.
“For a long time I didn’t want Leo in the movie, because I was genuinely afraid it would be perceived as a publicity stunt,” Metz explained. “But he of course looks like his dad, he’s one of the best tennis players in Sweden in his age group, it’s just so interesting. He had the...
- 11/8/2016
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Wendy Mitchell reports from the festival’s inaugural work in progress session; further titles presented were Winter Brothers, Drib, Under The Tree and Tom Of Finland.
Casting Bjorn Borg’s 13-year-old son Leo to play his father in Borg/McEnroe wasn’t a publicity stunt, the film’s director Janus Metz explained.
“Casting him was a very magical, strange process. We were looking for kids age 13-15 with a talent for sports, and weren’t public that this was for a film about Bjorn Borg. We got in a casting tape for Leo Borg,” the director said.
“For a long time I didn’t want Leo in the movie, because I was genuinely afraid it would be perceived as a publicity stunt,” Metz explained. “But he of course looks like his dad, he’s one of the best tennis players in Sweden in his age group, it’s just so interesting. He had the...
Casting Bjorn Borg’s 13-year-old son Leo to play his father in Borg/McEnroe wasn’t a publicity stunt, the film’s director Janus Metz explained.
“Casting him was a very magical, strange process. We were looking for kids age 13-15 with a talent for sports, and weren’t public that this was for a film about Bjorn Borg. We got in a casting tape for Leo Borg,” the director said.
“For a long time I didn’t want Leo in the movie, because I was genuinely afraid it would be perceived as a publicity stunt,” Metz explained. “But he of course looks like his dad, he’s one of the best tennis players in Sweden in his age group, it’s just so interesting. He had the...
- 11/8/2016
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Talk at the event was dominated by the looming introduction of the Finnish tax incentive; Beta boards The Unknown Soldier.
The works-in-progress jury at this year’s Finnish Film Affair (Sept 20-22) has split the $3,300 (€3000) Best Pitch prize between two films, Dome Karukoski’s Tom Of Finland, about the gay artist Touko Laaksonen, and documentary Post Punk Disorder, co-directors Jukka Kärkkäinen and J-p Passi’s sequel to their 2012 SXSW audience award winner The Punk Syndrome.
The event was dominated by discussions on two forthcoming landmarks - the films comprising part of the Finland 100 celebrations, marking the centenary since Finland declared itself independent, and the proposed film incentive, due to be rubber-stamped by parliament in December, which will deliver a 20-25% cash rebate to films in production in Finland.
The rebate would apply to productions with a budget of more than $2.2m (€2m) euros. The current average budget in Finland is close to $1.7m (€1.5m). It will apply...
The works-in-progress jury at this year’s Finnish Film Affair (Sept 20-22) has split the $3,300 (€3000) Best Pitch prize between two films, Dome Karukoski’s Tom Of Finland, about the gay artist Touko Laaksonen, and documentary Post Punk Disorder, co-directors Jukka Kärkkäinen and J-p Passi’s sequel to their 2012 SXSW audience award winner The Punk Syndrome.
The event was dominated by discussions on two forthcoming landmarks - the films comprising part of the Finland 100 celebrations, marking the centenary since Finland declared itself independent, and the proposed film incentive, due to be rubber-stamped by parliament in December, which will deliver a 20-25% cash rebate to films in production in Finland.
The rebate would apply to productions with a budget of more than $2.2m (€2m) euros. The current average budget in Finland is close to $1.7m (€1.5m). It will apply...
- 9/23/2016
- ScreenDaily
A total of 21 projects are set to be presented at the event, which last year showcased Cannes hit The Happiest Day In The Life of Olli Mäki.
The fifth edition of the Finnish Film Affair runs from September 20 -22. The programme will showcase 40 Finnish titles, screening 24 recent releases and presenting a further 21 films as works in progress, 11 of which are currently in production while 10 are in development.
Expectation is high as it was at the Finnish Film Affair works in progress presentations in 2015 that sales agents and buyers got their first look at Aamu Film Compnay´s The Happiest Day In The Life of Olli Mäki, directed by Juho Kuosmanen, which won the Un Certain Regard best film prize at this year´s Cannes Film Festival.
A jury will select a Best Pitch from the eleven Works in Progress projects. The following projects will be vying for the prize awarded by a jury comprising Sergei Rakhlin, chair...
The fifth edition of the Finnish Film Affair runs from September 20 -22. The programme will showcase 40 Finnish titles, screening 24 recent releases and presenting a further 21 films as works in progress, 11 of which are currently in production while 10 are in development.
Expectation is high as it was at the Finnish Film Affair works in progress presentations in 2015 that sales agents and buyers got their first look at Aamu Film Compnay´s The Happiest Day In The Life of Olli Mäki, directed by Juho Kuosmanen, which won the Un Certain Regard best film prize at this year´s Cannes Film Festival.
A jury will select a Best Pitch from the eleven Works in Progress projects. The following projects will be vying for the prize awarded by a jury comprising Sergei Rakhlin, chair...
- 9/19/2016
- ScreenDaily
Tom of Finland, a film about Finnish artist Touko Laaksonen, gets its first poster. Biopic directed by Dome Karukoski stars Finnish actor Pekka Strang in the title role. Touko Laaksonen (1920-1991), a prominent figure in gay art scene and a pioneer of homoerotic fetish art and gay imagery, was persecuted in his youth about his homosexuality and found escapism through art, which gave him the tools to express himself. Famous of drawing lascivious masculine figures in athletic poses dressed in leather, Laaksonen has said to be one of the most influential figures to the late 20th century gay culture. "Touko Laaksonen lived in a time when the laws and norms of the society tried to deny him the right to be himself. His story is an...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 9/15/2016
- Screen Anarchy
Lauri Tilkanen, Jessica Grabowski and German Werner Daehn also added to cast.
Pekka Strang (Producing Adults) will lead Dome Karukoski’s Tom Of Finland, which has also added Lauri Tilkanen, Jessica Grabowski and German Werner Daehn to its cast.
Aleksi Bardy wrote the screenplay for the film, which tells the life story of Touko Laaksonen, a man who would become known around the world by his nom de guerre “Tom Of Finland”.
Finnish production outfit Helsinki-Filmi is producing the project in co-production with Sweden’s Anagram Väst, Denmark’s Fridthjof Film and Germany’s Neutrinos Productions.
The cast were revealed during a press conference at the Berlinale, at which director Karukoski stated: “It’s incredible to think that this person from a small country like Finland could change the world.
“When Aleksi said we should do Tom of Finland - I started reading about him, talking to people who knew him, and for me...
Pekka Strang (Producing Adults) will lead Dome Karukoski’s Tom Of Finland, which has also added Lauri Tilkanen, Jessica Grabowski and German Werner Daehn to its cast.
Aleksi Bardy wrote the screenplay for the film, which tells the life story of Touko Laaksonen, a man who would become known around the world by his nom de guerre “Tom Of Finland”.
Finnish production outfit Helsinki-Filmi is producing the project in co-production with Sweden’s Anagram Väst, Denmark’s Fridthjof Film and Germany’s Neutrinos Productions.
The cast were revealed during a press conference at the Berlinale, at which director Karukoski stated: “It’s incredible to think that this person from a small country like Finland could change the world.
“When Aleksi said we should do Tom of Finland - I started reading about him, talking to people who knew him, and for me...
- 2/14/2016
- ScreenDaily
Protagonist Pictures has come on board to handle worldwide sales on Dome Karukoski's latest project Tom Of Finland, a drama about the life and times of iconic Finnish artist Touko Laaksonen. Aleksi Bardy wrote the screenplay for the film which tells the life story a man who would become known around the world by his nom de guerre "Tom Of Finland". The cast of the film will be announced during in Berlin. Production is due to start in the Spring in Gothenberg, Sweden…...
- 2/9/2016
- Deadline
Drama about the iconic gay artist to shoot in Sweden.
Protagonist Pictures has come on board to handle worldwide sales on Dome Karukoski’s Tom Of Finland, a drama about the life and times of the Finnish, gay artist.
Aleksi Bardy wrote the screenplay for the film, which tells the life story of Touko Laaksonen, a man who would become known around the world by his nom de guerre “Tom Of Finland”.
The cast of the film will be announced during the Berlinale at a press conference on Sunday. Production is due to start this Spring in Gothenberg, Sweden.
The story centres on Laaksonen, who returned home to Helsinki a hero after a harrowing and eventful military service in World War II, but found life during peacetime equally distressing. Persecuted for his homosexuality, he conducted secret affairs and was pressured to marry a woman.
He discovered freedom in his art, specialising in homoerotic...
Protagonist Pictures has come on board to handle worldwide sales on Dome Karukoski’s Tom Of Finland, a drama about the life and times of the Finnish, gay artist.
Aleksi Bardy wrote the screenplay for the film, which tells the life story of Touko Laaksonen, a man who would become known around the world by his nom de guerre “Tom Of Finland”.
The cast of the film will be announced during the Berlinale at a press conference on Sunday. Production is due to start this Spring in Gothenberg, Sweden.
The story centres on Laaksonen, who returned home to Helsinki a hero after a harrowing and eventful military service in World War II, but found life during peacetime equally distressing. Persecuted for his homosexuality, he conducted secret affairs and was pressured to marry a woman.
He discovered freedom in his art, specialising in homoerotic...
- 2/8/2016
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Protagonist Pictures has announced "Tom of Finland," a new biopic about the famed artist whose erotic drawings of masculine sexual archetypes became a major part of the gay civil rights movement and are now major collector's items.
Aleksi Bardy wrote the screenplay for the film which follows the life story of Touko Laaksonen who returned home to Helsinki a hero during WW2. Persecuted for his homosexuality, he found refuge and liberation in his art - homoerotic drawings of muscular men in sexually uninhibited situations.
Known by his artist name of 'Tom of Finland,' he developed a worldwide following that helped fan the flames of a gay revolution in the United States.
The cast for the film will be announced at the Berlin Film Festival this coming weekend. Shooting will take place this Spring in Gothenberg, Sweden.
Source: Screen Daily...
Aleksi Bardy wrote the screenplay for the film which follows the life story of Touko Laaksonen who returned home to Helsinki a hero during WW2. Persecuted for his homosexuality, he found refuge and liberation in his art - homoerotic drawings of muscular men in sexually uninhibited situations.
Known by his artist name of 'Tom of Finland,' he developed a worldwide following that helped fan the flames of a gay revolution in the United States.
The cast for the film will be announced at the Berlin Film Festival this coming weekend. Shooting will take place this Spring in Gothenberg, Sweden.
Source: Screen Daily...
- 2/8/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Universal Soldier began in 1992 before suffering from some tawdry sequels. Then John Hyams revived the franchise in spectacular fashion...
The Universal Soldier films are a strange case of life imitating art. Much like how series protagonist Luc Deveraux is killed in action then resurrected into something post-human, Universal was a pretty standard 90s action film which crashed and burned when it came to sequels, but became something unique and beautiful when it was reanimated for the straight to DVD market.
It’s a hushed secret among genre fans, but Universal Solder 3 and 4 (or possibly 5 and 6, it’s complicated) are some of the most remarkable action sci-fi films of the 21st century so far. Yes, really. I actually watched the series backwards when I first saw them, after being blown away by Universal Solder Day Of Reckoning and deciding to work my way back, and Roland Emmerich’s perfectly acceptable 1992 blockbuster...
The Universal Soldier films are a strange case of life imitating art. Much like how series protagonist Luc Deveraux is killed in action then resurrected into something post-human, Universal was a pretty standard 90s action film which crashed and burned when it came to sequels, but became something unique and beautiful when it was reanimated for the straight to DVD market.
It’s a hushed secret among genre fans, but Universal Solder 3 and 4 (or possibly 5 and 6, it’s complicated) are some of the most remarkable action sci-fi films of the 21st century so far. Yes, really. I actually watched the series backwards when I first saw them, after being blown away by Universal Solder Day Of Reckoning and deciding to work my way back, and Roland Emmerich’s perfectly acceptable 1992 blockbuster...
- 8/20/2014
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Neil Tennant on stage at Coachella.
Birthday shoutouts go to Jason Sehorn, who is 43, Emma Thompson is 55, Seth Rogen is 32, and Samantha Fox is 48.
Attention! Magic Mike 2: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut (or whatever it’s called) will be released July 3, 2015.
Ryan Murphy teases the surprises in store for Glee‘s final season. Some of it did surprise me.
Out has released their 8th annual list of the 50 most powerful Lgbt people. There are some new additions to the top 10 (Michael Sam)!
Angela Lansbury is now a Dame.
Just when I thought that “Meaty Tuck” was the most unforgettable new phrase of the week, along comes … “Shoe Truther”
"@VanityFair: @ActuallyNPH poses for Annie Leibovitz in the May issue of Vanity Fair pic.twitter.com/GMFfeISqap"” Annie rules! Loved doing this!
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) April 15, 2014
And here we go behind-the-scenes with John Cameron Mitchell.
“Chloe Sevigny” discusses Easter.
We told...
Birthday shoutouts go to Jason Sehorn, who is 43, Emma Thompson is 55, Seth Rogen is 32, and Samantha Fox is 48.
Attention! Magic Mike 2: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut (or whatever it’s called) will be released July 3, 2015.
Ryan Murphy teases the surprises in store for Glee‘s final season. Some of it did surprise me.
Out has released their 8th annual list of the 50 most powerful Lgbt people. There are some new additions to the top 10 (Michael Sam)!
Angela Lansbury is now a Dame.
Just when I thought that “Meaty Tuck” was the most unforgettable new phrase of the week, along comes … “Shoe Truther”
"@VanityFair: @ActuallyNPH poses for Annie Leibovitz in the May issue of Vanity Fair pic.twitter.com/GMFfeISqap"” Annie rules! Loved doing this!
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) April 15, 2014
And here we go behind-the-scenes with John Cameron Mitchell.
“Chloe Sevigny” discusses Easter.
We told...
- 4/15/2014
- by snicks
- The Backlot
Birthday shoutouts go to Sean Paul Lockhart (above, in a rare shirtless pic) who is 27, Mike O’Malley is 47, David Ogden Stiers is 71, and Diedre Hall is 66.
It’s just one more week til Glee, but you can listen to Adam Lambert performing “Marry The Night” Right Now!
Okay, so yesterday the rumor was that Glee would be moving the show to NYC, now apparently, Kurt may be moving to … Russia … to battle for gay rights? They’re just f*cking with us now, right?
A remake of infamous 80′s slasher Sleepaway Camp is being planned. Can they possibly keep that ending?
Ellen is Nicki Minaj
Below you can see a hilarious interview with Stephen Colbert and gay teen genius Jack Andraka.
Oh dear.
Rachel takes on the lies that E.W. Jackson has told as he desperately tries to backtrack from his homophobia.
Here’s a quick tease of...
It’s just one more week til Glee, but you can listen to Adam Lambert performing “Marry The Night” Right Now!
Okay, so yesterday the rumor was that Glee would be moving the show to NYC, now apparently, Kurt may be moving to … Russia … to battle for gay rights? They’re just f*cking with us now, right?
A remake of infamous 80′s slasher Sleepaway Camp is being planned. Can they possibly keep that ending?
Ellen is Nicki Minaj
Below you can see a hilarious interview with Stephen Colbert and gay teen genius Jack Andraka.
Oh dear.
Rachel takes on the lies that E.W. Jackson has told as he desperately tries to backtrack from his homophobia.
Here’s a quick tease of...
- 10/31/2013
- by snicks
- The Backlot
Debuting their latest collaboration, Heart of a Lion, to positive reactions at this year's Toronto Film Festival, Helsinki-filmi has set adored Finnish director Dome Karukoski to helm a biopic based on the life of gay illustrator Tom of Finland. The film will be the first authorized portrait of the influential Finnish pornographer, approved by the Tom of Finland Foundation. Photos: My Big, Gay Hollywood Wedding (Finally!) Tom of Finland, aka Touko Laaksonen, is considered a pioneer of androerotic and fetish art, illustrating overtly homoerotic imagery from the early 1950s through the late '70s. His “beefcake” artwork has been collected
read more...
read more...
- 9/9/2013
- by Matt Patches
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Below you can see a teaser for Tom, a biopic of iconic gay artist Touko Laaksonen, who was better known by the pseudonym Tom Of Finland. If you're not familiar with his work, here's some info, but suffice it to say, he was one of the most important figures in the history of gay erotica.
According to the film's Facebook Page, the movie will be shot next year for a 2015 release, but if they keep releasing fun teasers like this, it'll definitely keep our interest piqued.
Nsfw Warning - There is an explicit drawing near the end of the clip.
Tags: Tom Of FinlandTomIMDbTeaser Photo: ...
According to the film's Facebook Page, the movie will be shot next year for a 2015 release, but if they keep releasing fun teasers like this, it'll definitely keep our interest piqued.
Nsfw Warning - There is an explicit drawing near the end of the clip.
Tags: Tom Of FinlandTomIMDbTeaser Photo: ...
- 4/9/2013
- by snicks
- The Backlot
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