Paul Mescal is making it clear: his new film The History of Sound is not the next Brokeback Mountain.
During a press conference at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Mescal addressed critics who have drawn parallels between the two films, calling such comparisons “lazy and frustrating.”
“I personally don’t see the parallels at all, other than we spent a little time in a tent,” Mescal quipped, eliciting laughter from the audience.
He elaborated, stating that while Brokeback Mountain deals with themes of repression, The History of Sound is fundamentally a celebration of love between two men, not a story about repressed sexuality.
Directed by Oliver Hermanus and based on a short story by Ben Shattuck, The History of Sound stars Mescal and Josh O’Connor as Lionel and David, two musicians who meet at the Boston Music Conservatory in 1917.
Related: First Look: Mescal & O’Connor’s Queer Romance in ‘History of Sound’
After World War I, they embark on a journey through rural Maine in 1920 to collect and preserve American folk songs, during which their romantic relationship blossoms.
The film premiered at Cannes on May 21, 2025, and received a warm reception, including a five-minute standing ovation.
Despite this, some critics have noted that the film’s restrained portrayal of intimacy and emotional detachment may leave audiences wanting more.
Mescal, however, emphasized that the film’s strength lies in its subtle depiction of love through actions rather than words, highlighting the importance of kindness and emotional complexity in romantic relationships.
He also praised his co-star O’Connor, noting their strong off-screen rapport and shared quirks, which contributed to their on-screen chemistry.
The History of Sound is set to be distributed by Mubi in the United States and Canada, and by Focus Features internationally.
As the film continues to make its rounds on the festival circuit, Mescal hopes audiences will appreciate it on its own merits, rather than through the lens of past queer cinema classics.
Related: Mescal and O’Connor Ignite Gay Romance in New WWI Love Story