Get ready to swoon: Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor are starring in The History of Sound, a lush, emotionally resonant queer period drama set to premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
Directed by Oliver Hermanus and adapted from Ben Shattuck’s award-winning short story, the film follows two young men—Lionel (Mescal) and David (O’Connor)—who fall in love while traveling through post-WWI New England, recording the songs and stories of their fellow Americans.
A Love Story Told Through Sound
Set in 1919, the film centers on Lionel, a quiet observer and music student, who becomes enamored with David after hearing him sing a folk song at a piano bar.
As they journey together, their bond deepens into a profound romance that explores themes of love, loss, and the power of memory.
Mescal, known for his roles in Normal People and Aftersun, delivers a restrained yet powerful performance, while O’Connor, acclaimed for The Crown and Challengers, brings depth and nuance to the role of David.
Related: Josh O’Connor Voices Opinion on Queer Characters in ‘Challengers’
Behind the Scenes
Director Oliver Hermanus, who previously won the Queer Palm at Cannes for Beauty, co-wrote the screenplay with Shattuck during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The film’s production faced delays due to scheduling conflicts and the pandemic, but filming eventually took place in Massachusetts, with both actors performing their own singing and piano playing to enhance authenticity.
Hermanus describes the film as a “labor of love,” aiming to portray a same-sex relationship that is emotionally fulfilling and grounded in companionship rather than tragedy.
Cannes Premiere and Anticipation
The History of Sound is set to compete for the Palme d’Or at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, which runs from May 13 to 24, 2025.
With its evocative storytelling, period setting, and the combined star power of Mescal and O’Connor, the film is poised to be one of the festival’s most talked-about entries.
For fans of queer cinema and historical romance, this tender, melancholic tale promises to be a must-watch.
Related: Mescal and O’Connor Ignite Gay Romance in New WWI Love Story