Karukoski’s Tom Of Finland To Be Finnish Oscar Entry

Dome Karukoski’s Tom Of Finland, which tells the story of Finnish artist Touko Laaksonen, has been selected by the The Academy of Finland to represent the country for Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards.

Laaksonen (Pekka Strang) returned home to Helsinki a hero after an eventful military service during World War II. However, peacetime was no less distressing for him as he was persecuted for his homosexuality, forced to have secret affairs and pressured into marrying a woman.

He went on to discover liberation in his art, specialising in homoerotic drawings of muscular men in provocative poses, and developed a worldwide following that fanned the flames of gay revolution in the US.

The Academy of Finland’s said that “Tom of Finland is a love story that tells, from a Finnish perspective, an internationally significant story (and) is an impressive piece of work from one of the most internationally renowned Finns. The film is well staged and really captures the era.”

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will draw up its final shortlist of five films on 23rd January. The winner will be announced at the 90th Academy Awards on 4th March 2018 at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.