Tomos is both a global and a local story. Photo: BoBo Foto:
Tomos is both a global and a local story. Photo: BoBo Foto:

The film was produced under the auspices of RTV Slovenia’s regional broadcasting station in Koper.

Tomos is both a global and a local story. Its beginnings date back to 1954. It was in Koper where the factory left its most lasting impact, explains the author of the film, Nataša Mihelič: “We can now show the rest of Slovenia what Koper once meant – or still means today – because of Tomos. We mustn’t forget that this was the birthplace of a vehicle that motorized all of Yugoslavia. This makes it genuinely important.”

The town and the factory lived and breathed with each other. A high-rise building was constructed in Koper for Tomos’ workers, and in 1972, the band Boomerang had its first concert in the factory’s cafeteria.

Tomos’ name traveled overseas along with exported and locally produced mopeds. The documentary brings Koper’s golden age to life. One of Tomos’ former CEOs, Goran Petek, attended the premiere: “This is a beautiful story, but it’s also a story of long-lost times. These days, we would need a very different approach. But I enjoyed reliving the story.”

The film was directed by Peter Leben, while the Tomos Society played an invaluable role in bringing the story to life.