Jump to content

The History of Sound

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The History of Sound
Directed byOliver Hermanus
Screenplay byBen Shattuck
Based on"The History of Sound"
by Ben Shattuck
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyAlexander Dynan
Edited byChris Wyatt
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release date
  • May 21, 2025 (2025-05-21) (Cannes)
Running time
127 minutes
Countries
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The History of Sound is an upcoming historical romantic drama film directed by Oliver Hermanus. Based on the short story of the same name by Ben Shattuck, it is about the relationship between two men (Josh O'Connor and Paul Mescal) who meet in 1916 and then travel together in the summer of 1919 to record the folk songs of their countrymen in rural New England.[2]

The film will have its world premiere at the main competition of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 21, where it will compete for the Palme d'Or.[3]

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Hermanus landed the job of director just as the COVID-19 pandemic started and developed the script with Shattuck during lockdown from his home in Barrydale, South Africa.[4] At the end of October 2021, the film was announced along with its leads Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor.[5] Producers include Lisa Ciuffetti, Andrew Kortschak, and Andrea Roa, as well as Tim Haslam for Embankment Films[6] and Sara Murphy. In January 2023, it was confirmed that casting for supporting roles was underway.[7]

Principal photography was originally going to take place on location in the United Kingdom, United States, and Italy in summer 2022,[5] but was postponed because Mescal and O'Connor had scheduling conflicts.[8] Production was rescheduled for after Hermanus completed Mary & George,[9] starting in Massachusetts.[7] In January 2024, it was reported that principal photography would begin soon;[10] Hermanus confirmed it officially commenced on 28 February.[11]

Crew allegedly attached to The History of Sound were spotted at the restaurant 10th & Willow in Hoboken, New Jersey, which was closed for filming in early March,[12] and O'Connor and Mescal were photographed together in costume for the first time.[13] Another New Jersey location The History of Sound was filmed at is the Oakley Farm Museum in Freehold Township. The blacksmith shop, located at the rear of the property, was turned into a Maine cabin and visited by stars Mescal and O'Connor. The location was one of two in the entire state that End Cue and Film4 were seeking. [14] In April 2024, production moved to Tarquinia, Italy.[15]

Release

[edit]

In June 2024, it was reported the film would not be ready in time for the autumn festivals due to its score and sound production, and would instead aim for a 2025 Cannes Film Festival debut.[6] In February 2025, Mubi and Focus Features/Universal Pictures International acquired North American and international distribution rights, respectively.[16] In April 2025, it was announced that the film would have its world premiere in competition at the Cannes Film Festival on 21 May 2025.[17][18]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ritman, Alex (November 14, 2024). "Paul Mescal Lands First Producer Credit on Gay Romance History of Sound Co-Starring Josh O'Connor". Variety. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  2. ^ "THE HISTORY OF SOUND". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  3. ^ "The films of the Official Selection 2025". Festival de Cannes. 2025-04-10. Retrieved 2025-04-10.
  4. ^ Eloff, Herman (29 October 2021). "SA filmmaker Oliver Hermanus to direct new film starring Josh O'Connor and Paul Mescal". News24. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  5. ^ a b Hipes, Patrick (29 October 2021). "Josh O'Connor And Paul Mescal To Star In The History Of Sound; Oliver Hermanus To Direct WWI Love Story – AFM". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 1 November 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  6. ^ a b Anderson, Erik (8 June 2024). "The History of Sound Won't Be Ready for Fall Festivals, Aims for Cannes 2025 (Exclusive)". Awards Watch. Archived from the original on 9 June 2024. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  7. ^ a b Welch, Rebecca (18 January 2023). "Kick Off 2023 By Getting Cast in Films With Paul Mescal, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and More". Backstage. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  8. ^ James, Alastair (19 May 2022). "Paul Mescal says gay drama The History of Sound with Josh O'Connor won't happen this year". Attitude. Archived from the original on 16 October 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  9. ^ McKay, Bronwyn (19 May 2023). "Oliver Hermanus' delayed film with Josh O'Connor and Paul Mescal coming to fruition – 3 years later". News24. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  10. ^ James, Alastair (11 January 2024). "Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor led The History of Sound reported to begin filming". Attitude. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  11. ^ Damshenas, Sam (5 March 2024). "The History of Sound director says Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor are "on fire" in gay drama". Gay Times. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  12. ^ Impaglia, Samantha (5 March 2024). "The History of Sound Starring Paul Mescal Filming at 10th + Willow in Hoboken". Hoboken Girl. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  13. ^ Anderton, Joe (11 March 2024). "First look at Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor in new gay romance". Digital Spy. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  14. ^ Polverino, Cheryl (2024). "Spring-Summer 2024 Newsletter - Freehold Township Heritage Society". Freehold Township Heritage Society. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  15. ^ Jureidini, Ben (22 April 2024). "The History of Sound, the WWI love story starring Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor, causes a stir as it films in Italy". Tatler. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  16. ^ Ritman, Alex; Keslassy, Elsa (February 14, 2025). "Paul Mescal, Josh O'Connor Gay Romance History of Sound Bought by Mubi for U.S. as Focus Takes International (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  17. ^ Keslassy, Elsa; Shafer, Ellise (10 April 2025). "Cannes Film Festival Unveils 2025 Lineup". Variety. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  18. ^ "The Screenings Guide of the 78th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. 8 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_History_of_Sound&oldid=1289770888"