Dome Karukoski, on Tom of Finland

While I was living at TOM House as the artist-in-residence, Dome Karukoski was finishing the Tom of Finland biopic. I had the opportunity to observe some of the final editing process, the arduous attention to detail that filmmakers labor over in the last stages of production. It was really special to be in the House during that time— the residents served as a liaison between the film and Tom’s legacy, making sure that his story was told with integrity.

The biopic starts with Touko Laaksonen’s life in Finland during the war, and eventually follows the artist to Los Angeles, where he met Durk Dehner (cofounder and president of the Foundation) and got to live his life fully as Tom of Finland. The movie explores all the aspects in Tom’s life that inspired his oeuvre, the adversity he faced getting the work out in the world, and his business relationship with Dehner.

If you haven’t seen the film, it’s beautifully executed; with stunning international settings. A touching film about an artist finding his voice, and ultimately, helping thousands of gay men find theirs.

I had the privilege of asking the director, Dome Karukoski, some questions about the film and his connection with Tom.