The History of Sound is a 2025 historicalromantic drama film directed by Oliver Hermanus, written by Ben Shattuck, and based on a pair of his short stories, the first and last in his collection The History of Sound: "The History of Sound" and "Origin Stories". It follows the relationship between Lionel (Paul Mescal) and David (Josh O'Connor), who meet in 1917 while attending the Boston Music Conservatory, and after World War I travel together recording folk songs of their countrymen in rural Maine in the summer of 1920.[2]
The film had its world premiere at the main competition of the 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2025, where it was nominated for the Palme d'Or.[3] It is scheduled to be released in the United States on September 12, 2025.
Plot
The film follows Lionel and David, who meet in college and bond over music and a romantic relationship. After David returns from war, they travel through rural Maine to collect folk songs for the university where David once taught. The narrative explores the ambiguity of their memories and relationship. [4]
The History of Sound originated with the production company End Cue who found the short story of the same name in an obscure literary periodical and brought the project on board and commenced the author Ben Shattuck to adapt his own work for the screen. Andrew Kortschak and Lisa Ciuffetti of End Cue structured the writer’s deal and provided development financing to Shattuck. End Cue hired on Hermanus after the treatment stage of development. Kortschak, Ciuffetti and Hermanus guided Shattuck during the writing process just as the COVID-19 pandemic started so much of the development with Shattuck was remotely between Los Angeles, Massachusetts and South Africa, with Hermanus participating during lockdown from his home in Barrydale, South Africa.[5]
At the end of October 2021, the film was announced along with its leads Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor.[6] Producers include Ciuffetti, Kortschak, and Andrea Roa, as well as Tim Haslam for Embankment Films[7] and Sara Murphy. Principal photography was originally going to take place on location in the United Kingdom, United States, and Italy in summer 2022,[6] 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.[10]
Hermanus confirmed it officially commenced on February 28, 2024.[11] O'Connor learned to play the piano for his part; his scenes were filmed first, before he left to promote his film Challengers in April.[12]
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,[13] and O'Connor and Mescal were photographed together in costume for the first time.[14] 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. [15] In April 2024, production moved to Tarquinia, Italy.[16]
Release
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.[7] In February 2025, Mubi and Focus Features/Universal Pictures International acquired North American and international distribution rights respectively.[17] 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.[18][19] The film is scheduled to be released in the United States on September 12, 2025.[20]
Davide Abbatescianni of Cineuropa described it as "a heartfelt, occasionally flawed, but ultimately moving film that navigates themes of intimacy, remembrance and cultural preservation through a uniquely melodic lens."[22] Pavel Snapkou from Showbiz by PS wrote that the film may not appeal to everyone, but that "if you stay with it and let it unfold, the emotional undertow eventually hits hard." [23]
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