WATCH: 'TOM' Movie Teaser

This sexy, fun clip shows Touko, aka Tom of Finland, in 1971—before he became the erotic drawing master

Finland based Special Film Company is developing a biographical feature film based on the life of Touko Laaksonen (1920-1991), better known as the international gay icon Tom of Finland. Filming begins in spring 2014 for a 2015 release.

The movie, named Tom, is an international co-production. Besides traditional funding sources the production will involve a crowd funding campaign. Having artistic independence through independent financing is the only way to make a movie true to both Touko's work and his life”, directors Vesa Kuosmanen and Henri Huttunen state.

Olli Rahkonen, known from the acclaimed feature film 3 Simoa, will be seen in the leading role. The actor didn't hesitate when asked to portray Tom: “Touko's story is a unique tale of how a man, who needs to hide his sexuality, becomes an international gay icon through his art.” Martti Manninen, who plays Touko's young lover Veli, continues: “The subject matter is very current in today’s political climate. We are all committed to making a movie not just about a man, but also about his impact in the gay culture.”

Producer Miikka Haleyi describes the movie as “Boogie Nights meets the Pianist.” The style of the film will be faithful to Tom's art, combining eroticism with a playful sense of humour.
We remember him through leather, huge muscles, even larger cocks and humour -- empowering the masculine gay man. We know who Tom of Finland is. Now meet Touko.