Gayety

Tag: Cannes

  • Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor Fall in Love Through Music in ‘The History of Sound’

    Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor Fall in Love Through Music in ‘The History of Sound’

    Get ready to swoon. The first trailer for The History of Sound has officially dropped, and it’s giving brooding stares, folk melodies, and queer longing in sepia tones.

    Starring Paul Mescal (Aftersun) and Josh O’Connor (Challengers), Oliver Hermanus’ latest film is shaping up to be a major awards season contender, and a poetic exploration of a love that echoes across decades.

    A Queer Period Piece with Musical Roots

    Adapted from Ben Shattuck’s short story of the same name, The History of Sound begins in 1917 at the Boston Conservatory, where Lionel (Mescal), a gifted young music student, meets fellow singer David (O’Connor). The two connect over their mutual passion for folk music, sharing voices and glances in equal measure. But just as quickly as their bond begins to deepen, life intervenes, with David heading off to serve in World War I.

    Photo: Vanity Fair
    Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal in ‘The History of Sound.’ Photo: Vanity Fair

    Years later, the pair reunite and set out on a journey through the forests and coastlines of Maine to collect and preserve traditional American folk songs. Their expedition becomes the backdrop for a quiet yet powerful romance that profoundly shapes both their lives.

    Chris Cooper narrates as an older Lionel, looking back on the season of love that defined him.

    Queer Love, Without the Tropes

    What’s refreshing about The History of Sound is its decision to take a gentler approach to its central romance. There’s no gratuitous intimacy or trauma porn here. Instead, the emotional charge of the film comes from the tender exchanges between two men navigating affection, companionship, and shared artistry.

    Speaking at Cannes, Mescal told IndieWire, “What feels slightly different about this from [other] romantic relationships onscreen… physical touch isn’t the priority. It’s intellectual stimulation, it’s friendship.”

    That doesn’t mean the chemistry is lacking. In fact, early reviews from the film’s Cannes premiere praised the subtlety and restraint in the performances.

    An Awards Season Favorite in the Making

    After a buzzy debut at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, The History of Sound has already been tipped as one to watch in the upcoming Oscar race. MUBI will release the film in theaters starting September 12, just in time to stir up awards chatter.

    Both Mescal and O’Connor are no strangers to critical acclaim, and here they’re perfectly cast, bringing depth, ache, and nuance to a story that could easily veer into melodrama but never does.

    Folk Songs and First Loves

    The film’s evocative setting, sweeping cinematography, and haunting musical moments only deepen the emotional resonance. As Lionel and David collect forgotten songs in the rural corners of America, they’re also preserving something more fragile, the memory of a love just as fleeting and precious.

    For fans of slow-burn romance, period dramas, and queer stories that dare to be quiet, The History of Sound promises to be a must-watch this fall. And with Mescal and O’Connor at the helm, it might just sing its way into your heart, and maybe even onto the Oscars stage.

    The History of Sound hits theaters September 12 via MUBI. Watch the trailer below.

  • Alexander Skarsgård Kisses Pedro Pascal as Queer Biker Romance ‘Pillion’ Earns Rave Reviews at Cannes

    Alexander Skarsgård Kisses Pedro Pascal as Queer Biker Romance ‘Pillion’ Earns Rave Reviews at Cannes

    What do you get when you mix leather, lust, and a seven-minute standing ovation? The answer: Pillion, the new queer Sub/Dom biker romance that roared into the Cannes Film Festival this weekend — and brought a little cheeky affection with it.

    During the thunderous applause following the film’s premiere, Alexander Skarsgård leaned over and planted a sweet (and now instantly iconic) kiss on Pedro Pascal’s cheek. Call it bromance, call it promotion — either way, it sent the audience and internet into a frenzy.

    We’re definitely not jealous. Not at all.

    Leather, Lust, and Literary Roots

    Directed by Harry Lighton and based on Adam Mars-Jones’ 2019 novel Box Hill, Pillion premiered on May 18 in Cannes’ prestigious Un Certain Regard section. The film stars Harry Potter alum Harry Melling as Colin, a timid loner whose world is flipped upside down by Ray — an enigmatic, dominant biker portrayed by Skarsgård.

    The official synopsis describes Colin as “a weedy wallflower” until Ray, the “impossibly handsome leader of a motorbike club,” claims him as his submissive. Ray whisks Colin away from his dull suburban life into a raw, sexually charged world of queer biker brotherhood — and things get kinky fast.

    “But as Colin steps deeper into Ray’s world of rules and mysteries,” the synopsis teases, “he begins to question whether the life of a 24/7 submissive is for him. Has he found his calling, or simply swapped one form of suffocation for another?”

    Standing Ovation and Critical Acclaim

    The Cannes crowd certainly approved. Following the film’s climactic ending, the theater erupted into a standing ovation that reportedly lasted a full seven minutes. That’s when Skarsgård, dressed in black leather trousers and biker boots, gave Pascal a playful smooch in front of the crowd.

    A power move? Absolutely. A meme in the making? Without a doubt.

    Critics are already showering the film with praise:

    • Deadline lauded Skarsgård for fully committing to the role, calling his performance “fearless” and “emotionally elusive.”

    • The Hollywood Reporter highlighted the duo’s dynamic chemistry, writing that “what gives Pillion its kick is the friction sparked when Colin starts wanting more.”

    Queer Cinema Shines Bright at Cannes

    Pillion is part of a dazzling lineup of LGBTQ+ films showcased at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, which runs through May 24. Other queer highlights include:

    With this much queer storytelling on the big screen, it’s clear that Cannes is embracing bold, boundary-pushing cinema with open arms — and open hearts.

    Final Verdict?

    Pillion is more than just leather, sex, and domination — though it delivers plenty of that. It’s a deeply felt story about identity, power, and desire, with performances that leave a lasting impression.

    And, let’s be honest, any film that gives us Alexander Skarsgård in biker boots and a Pedro Pascal kiss? That’s cinema, baby.

  • Sebastian Stan and Leo Woodall to Star in Queer-Led True Story ‘Burning Rainbow Farm’

    Sebastian Stan and Leo Woodall to Star in Queer-Led True Story ‘Burning Rainbow Farm’

    Sebastian Stan (Thunderbolts) and Leo Woodall (The White Lotus) are teaming up for a powerful new film that blends political rebellion, counterculture history, and queer love. Titled Burning Rainbow Farm, the film is directed by Justin Kurzel (The Order) and based on the true story of Tom Crosslin and Rollie Rohm—two lovers who turned their rural Michigan land into a cannabis-friendly utopia before it all ended in a tragic and fiery standoff with the state.

    Leo Woodall 'The White Lotus' Season 2. Photo: HBO
    Leo Woodall ‘The White Lotus’ Season 2. Photo: HBO

    The project, adapted from Dean Kuipers’ nonfiction book and written by Holding the Man screenwriter Tommy Murphy, is poised to make waves not just for its dramatic plot, but for centering a love story rarely explored in American cinema: one that’s both radical and queer.

    A Real-Life Romance on the Frontlines

    At its core, Burning Rainbow Farm is a political love story. Crosslin and Rohm weren’t just partners in life—they were partners in building something extraordinary. Rainbow Farm, as it was known, became a symbol of peaceful protest, cannabis legalization, and queer visibility in the early 2000s Midwest. The film follows the couple as they create their dream community, only to have it ripped apart by legal battles, the loss of their son, and a government siege that captured national attention.

    Director Kurzel describes the project as “a love story about two outliers who raise their middle finger to hate and declare, ‘This is who we are, and we dare you to take it from us.’” With Stan and Woodall portraying the star-crossed lovers, the emotional gravity is expected to hit hard—and queer audiences are likely to see reflections of resilience, resistance, and tenderness often left out of similar genre films.

    Queer History Meets Mainstream Cinema

    For a generation raised on sanitized Hollywood romances, Burning Rainbow Farm offers something refreshingly real. Not only does it revisit an overlooked chapter in queer and drug policy history, but it also places a same-sex relationship at the emotional center of a major cinematic release. And with Murphy—the writer behind the beloved gay romance Holding the Man—penning the script, the intimacy and complexity of the couple’s bond is in thoughtful hands.

    This is not just another crime drama. It’s an elegy for queer love under siege, and a warning about how far state power will go to crush what it doesn’t understand.

    A-Listers Behind the Scenes

    The film is being produced by Nicole O’Donohue, Kurzel, and Alexandra Taussig for Thirdborn, alongside Adam Shulman of Anonymous Content, Alix Madigan of Mad Dog Films, and Justin Lothrop and Brent Stiefel of Votiv. Rocket Science will present the project to international buyers at the Cannes Film Market, while CAA Media Finance is handling North American rights.

    Sebastian Stan, hot off his Oscar-nominated turn in The Apprentice and starring in Thunderbolts, brings both depth and star power to the project. Leo Woodall, meanwhile, has continued to rise with roles in Prime Target, One Day, and the upcoming Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. With this film, both actors are taking on roles that demand emotional nuance and social weight.

    Sebastian Stan in 'Thunderbolts*.' Photo: Marvel
    Sebastian Stan in ‘Thunderbolts*.’ Photo: Marvel

    Representation That Matters

    In a media landscape where queer stories are often sidelined or sanitized, Burning Rainbow Farm arrives like a Molotov cocktail of truth and tenderness. It’s a film that dares to explore what it means to love radically, live authentically, and stand your ground—even when the odds are stacked against you.

    Burning Rainbow Farm is currently in pre-production. Keep your eyes on Cannes, and your hearts open for what might be one of the most essential queer films of the year.

  • Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor Bring Tender Queer Romance to WWI in ‘The History of Sound’

    Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor Bring Tender Queer Romance to WWI in ‘The History of Sound’

    Love, loss, and longing take center stage in The History of Sound, a sweeping queer period drama starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor that’s already generating major buzz ahead of its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

    Directed by Oliver Hermanus (Mary & George), the film tells a story of connection between two men at a time when being seen—let alone loved—was a risk in itself. And yet, The History of Sound deliberately shifts away from clichés of fear or shame, choosing instead to celebrate intimacy, curiosity, and emotional truth between two queer characters in the early 20th century.

    A Queer Love Story Told Through Sound

    Adapted from Ben Shattuck’s Pushcart Prize-winning short story, The History of Sound follows Lionel (Mescal) and David (O’Connor), two young men traveling across the United States during World War I to record the voices, songs, and stories of Americans whose lives are shaped by the war.

    📸 [Space for image: Mescal shirtless in water; O’Connor smoking alone; the pair laughing over coffee]

    Their journey becomes more than just a mission of documentation—it becomes a tender romance.

    “There’s a real sense of companionship, and the joy and loss that comes with the presence and absence of that,” Mescal told Vanity Fair. “It’s not just about sex or falling in love. It’s deeper.”

    Director Hermanus intentionally avoids the tragic framing often associated with historical queer love stories.

    “I didn’t want it to feel like a transgression,” Hermanus said. “Ben wrote it in a way where there was no hesitation, no moment of fear. It’s not about them risking being sexual—it’s just love.”

    Chemistry in Every Frame

    The casting of Mescal and O’Connor—both coming off acclaimed queer roles in All of Us Strangers and Challengers, respectively—felt like kismet, though the production nearly missed its moment.

    “We probably couldn’t have made this in 2022,” Hermanus said. “They weren’t the Paul and Josh we now know.”

    Mescal called the experience “lucky” and praised O’Connor for unlocking a side of him he hadn’t felt in years.

    “He brought out this childlike version of me,” Mescal said. “That kind of boyishness—I hadn’t felt that in a long time.”

    Their on-screen connection radiates not just romance, but vulnerability—a central part of what makes The History of Sound such a refreshing entry in the queer film canon.

    Photo: Vanity Fair
    Photo: Vanity Fair

    Photo: Vanity Fair
    Photo: Vanity Fair

    Minimal Sex, Maximum Intimacy

    Unlike many queer dramas that either skirt around or overemphasize sex, The History of Sound keeps physical moments quiet and natural. Hermanus said the most intimate scene isn’t even in bed.

    “It’s when Lionel is wandering through David’s apartment the next morning,” he said. “He’s smelling everything, sitting everywhere—absorbing the energy of someone he loves.”

    The choice reinforces the emotional depth of their relationship without relying on spectacle.

    A Cannes Contender With Queer Heart

    The History of Sound will premiere at Cannes 2025, where it will compete for the Palme d’Or. The film joins a strong wave of queer storytelling that pushes beyond pain and shame, and instead honors love in all its layered complexity.

    The supporting cast includes Chris Cooper, Molly Price, Raphael Sbarge, Hadley Robinson, Emma Canning, Brianna Middleton and Gary Raymond.

    As Hermanus puts it, The History of Sound is “a film about queer love, but it’s also a film about feeling seen, and hearing each other—even in silence.”

    Photo: Vanity Fair
    Photo: Vanity Fair

    Photo: Vanity Fair
    Photo: Vanity Fair

  • Alexander Skarsgård Stars in Kinky Gay Romance ‘Pillion’ Heading to Cannes

    Alexander Skarsgård Stars in Kinky Gay Romance ‘Pillion’ Heading to Cannes

    Buckle up (and maybe bring a safe word). The 2025 Cannes Film Festival has revealed its official lineup—and this year, it’s bringing a thrilling wave of queer stories, including one scandalously seductive motorcycle romance that’s already revving engines.

    Among the buzziest world premieres is Pillion, the debut feature from director Harry Lighton. The film, which Variety has cheekily described as a “fun and filthy romance with heart,” stars Alexander Skarsgård (The Northman) and Harry Melling (The Queen’s Gambit) in what’s shaping up to be one of the most talked-about entries at the festival.

     

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    Pillion, named after the back seat of a motorcycle, follows Colin (Melling), a shy, unassuming man drifting through life—until he meets Ray (Skarsgård), a magnetic motorcycle club leader with a commanding presence and a flair for kink. What starts as an erotic thrill ride quickly deepens, as Colin is pulled into a tight-knit community of queer bikers, awakening new desires and emotional truths.

    “Ray uproots Colin from his dreary suburban life,” Variety reports, “introducing him to a community of kinky, queer bikers and taking all sorts of virginities along the way.” But as the lines between liberation and domination blur, Colin begins to question whether he’s truly found freedom—or simply traded one kind of confinement for another.

    If that doesn’t scream “Cannes chaos,” we don’t know what does.

    But Pillion is just one of several standout LGBTQ+ stories headed to the Croisette this year. The lineup also features Rebecca Zlotowski’s Vie Privée, starring Jodie Foster as a high-profile psychiatrist investigating the mysterious death of a patient; Kelly Reichardt’s high-stakes heist film The Mastermind; and Oliver Hermanus’ historical romance The History of Sound, which stars Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal as two men recording folk songs—and falling in love—while traveling across the U.S. during World War I.

    With themes spanning mystery, music, mayhem, and motorcycles, the 2025 Cannes Film Festival promises a bold and eclectic celebration of cinema.

    The festival runs from May 13 to May 24 on the iconic French Riviera. Bring your sunscreen—and your emotional armor.