Article: Veteran and Newcomer – Tommi Korpela and Kustaa Tuohimaa
Veteran and Newcomer – Tommi Korpela and Kustaa Tuohimaa
Thoughts and Lessons from One Generation to the Next
We invited two outstanding Finnish actors to our Helsinki store on Fredrikinkatu to talk about their work and dreams.
Tommi Korpela – A Voice for the Emotions of the Finnish Man
At 58, Tommi Korpela is a much-loved veteran actor who has mastered the stage, the big screen and television alike. He has been part of the everyday lives of Finns for more than three decades. Tommi lives in Etu-Töölö, Helsinki.
Tommi first met FRENN founders Antti Laitinen and Jarkko Kallio in spring 2014, when he took part as a model in a charity fashion show organised by the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare.
Kustaa Tuohimaa – A Social Cosmopolitan
Kustaa Tuohimaa is a 28-year-old Helsinki-based newcomer actor. He graduated from acting school in Copenhagen in 2023. Since graduating, he has worked in theatre, short films and TV series. Kustaa also works as a translator and voice-over artist. His working languages are Finnish, Danish, Swedish, Spanish and English.
Kustaa was first introduced to FRENN in 2017 through his mother, journalist Minna Juti. Minna and FRENN co-founder Jarkko Kallio had known each other for years. Kustaa and Jarkko first met on a trip to London. Jarkko was visiting the PR agency he was working with at the time, while Kustaa was there for an entrance audition at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Tommi, how did you become an actor?
– It was a combination of many coincidences and different twists and turns that led me to become an actor. In the 1970s and 1980s, Finland produced some truly high-quality television films that families would watch together. I was often moved by their stories and characters.
– I remember my primary school teacher, Anja Kaikkonen, and how much she encouraged me. Anja recognised that I had some talent for writing and repeatedly supported my creativity as a young boy. She undoubtedly played a major role in building my self-confidence and inspiring my interest in this field.
After completing his military service, 19-year-old Tommi applied to and was accepted into the acting programme at Lahti Folk High School. When he managed to secretly attend rehearsals and performances at the Theatre Academy under Jouko Turkka by tagging along with a friend, there was no turning back. He had caught the acting bug, and his future plans were clear.
In 1991, he began his studies at the Theatre School, led by Kari Heiskanen and Kari Väänänen. A year earlier, Antti Raivio had founded Q-teatteri, where Tommi was accepted even before his studies began. Tommi graduated as an actor in 1995. The rest, as they say, is Finnish acting history.
Kustaa’s Journey to Becoming an Actor Took Him to Copenhagen
– I’ve always loved performing and have been deeply moved by things. As a child, I wasn’t involved in theatre yet. Back then, I was into sports, and my goal was actually to become an NHL ice hockey player. That career lasted until I reached the A-juniors of the Jokerit hockey team.
– I think we all have a piece of art – whether it’s a film, an album or a theatre performance – that has left a lasting impression on us. My biggest dream is to be part of creating those kinds of experiences for others. I think there’s something truly powerful and meaningful about that.
Kustaa has been particularly impressed by some of Tommi’s work, including the films Miehen työ and Ikitie, in which Tommi starred alongside Danish actress Sidse Babett Knudsen, known for the TV series Borgen.
– I applied to the Theatre Academy several times after graduating from upper secondary school. I didn’t get in, but through Laajasalo Folk High School, I found my way into acting studies. I had decided to pursue acting and even travelled to Bristol for entrance auditions. Eventually, I was accepted to study at the Copenhagen International School of Performing Arts, where I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Acting in spring 2023.
That autumn, socially gifted Kustaa began his professional acting career at Imatra Theatre, which has proved to be an excellent place for the newcomer to learn and develop. Most recently, Kustaa has appeared in The Da Vinci Code.
Who Would You Like to Act With?
Tommi answers without hesitation: Meryl Streep or Sissy Spacek. He has admired both actresses since he was young.
– In my opinion, Meryl is the best actor in the world. She has an unbelievably impressive level of skill, extraordinary emotional sensitivity and an enormous presence. I might lose my mind if we were ever on the same stage together.
Kustaa’s choice is his childhood idol, Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, whom Kustaa happened to meet in Copenhagen while working at a wine bar during his studies.
– At the beginning of my shift, I went to a nearby pizzeria to pick up some bread to serve with the wine. That’s when I ran into Mads. I simply had to stop him and go over to say hello.
What’s Next?
This autumn, Tommi will appear at Q-teatteri in a play based on Pirkko Saisio’s latest novel, Suliko. The play tells the story of Stalin’s childhood and his final days, with the subtitle “a psychedelic dive into the mind of a dictator.”
– It’s a truly fascinating work, but also a challenging one. Poetic and, at times, difficult to interpret. The premiere is at the end of September.
Kustaa will continue working at Imatra Theatre this autumn. The popular The Da Vinci Code has been given 13 additional performances. Over the summer, Kustaa has also been developing his own projects and scripts. Together with colleagues, he has come up with new ideas as well. Who knows what might come of them.
Professional Dreams
When it comes to professional dreams, Tommi is quite clear about what he wants. Rather than dreaming of specific roles, he dreams of having the opportunity to work with brilliant, talented and creative new people. For him, that is the only way to succeed himself.
– The better playmates you have, the better the cake will be.
At the beginning of his acting career, Kustaa is dreaming big.
– I dream of performing on the main stage of the Finnish National Theatre and of winning a Jussi Award someday. But those things will happen if they’re meant to. I don’t wake up every morning thinking about those dreams. The most important thing is to get to do interesting work with interesting people – and to enjoy the journey along the way.
What Do the Men Think of FRENN?
Two years ago, FRENN co-founder and designer Antti designed a made-to-measure suit for Tommi for the Independence Day Reception at the Presidential Palace. Antti also created a bespoke neckpiece to complement the outfit, inspired by men’s neckwear from the 1830s.
– The suit was really great and fit me perfectly. It stood out, but it’s also versatile enough to wear to other occasions.
– How did you discover FRENN, Kustaa?
– Jarkko and my mother have known each other for a long time. That’s how I was introduced to FRENN and its menswear. I’ve never been much of a shopper. Here, you get great service and it’s easy to find well-made, versatile clothes. It’s become my go-to place.
Tommi nods beside him.
– Exactly. Same for me.
Q-teatteri
Suliko – Opening Night 21 September
Pirkko Saisio’s raw and poetic novel is brought to life by the creative team at Q-teatteri in a breathtaking stage production. The play asks whether people are born monsters or become monsters through the choices they make. How does an idealist fighting for justice become a dictator?
Teatteri Imatra
The Da Vinci Code – Spring hit returns in October–November
Professor Robert Langdon, an expert in religious symbols, is summoned to the Louvre by the French police. The museum’s renowned curator, Jacques Saunière, has been murdered. A mysterious message has been left on his body, requiring Langdon’s expertise to decipher. He is joined in the investigation by Sophie Neveu, a highly skilled cryptologist with the French intelligence service.
All this and much more unfolds in Dan Brown’s thrilling mystery The Da Vinci Code, first published in 2003. The novel has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and has been translated into more than 44 languages.
Explore the FRENN collection -> frennhelsinki.com
Location: FRENN store, Fredrikinkatu 24, Helsinki
Styling: Antti Laitinen
