Gayety

Tag: The History of Sound

  • 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.

  • First Look: Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal Star in Intimate Queer Period Drama ‘The History of Sound’

    First Look: Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal Star in Intimate Queer Period Drama ‘The History of Sound’

    Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal are stepping into a moving queer love story in The History of Sound, and new stills from the film are already sending fans into a frenzy.

    Released exclusively by Vanity Fair, the newly revealed images show the two acclaimed actors fully immersed in their roles. One shot captures Mescal floating peacefully in a pool while O’Connor lounges nearby, cigarette in hand. Another features the duo sharing laughter beside a piano—offering a glimpse into the quiet intimacy that defines their on-screen romance.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Vanity Fair (@vanityfair)

    Directed by Living filmmaker Oliver Hermanus, The History of Sound is a tender period piece set in post-World War I America. The film follows David (O’Connor) and Lionel (Mescal), two young men who fall in love while studying at a New England music conservatory. Their shared passion for sound and storytelling takes them on a journey to document the voices, songs, and oral histories of soldiers who served during the Great War.

    The film is based on the acclaimed short story of the same name by Ben Shattuck, which won the 2019 Pushcart Prize and was a finalist for the 2020 PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers. Its cinematic adaptation will premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and is already generating early awards buzz.

    A Queer Love Story Rooted in Connection

    In the story, the two leads first meet in a piano bar, where Lionel (Mescal) is captivated by David (O’Connor) performing a folk song from his childhood. From that moment, a deeply emotional—and at times tragic—relationship begins to unfold.

    Director Oliver Hermanus, who is openly gay, emphasized that this project is deeply personal.

    “I’m a gay man. I would love to go to the movies and watch a movie about a same-sex relationship that maybe makes me cry, but feels fulfilling,” Hermanus told Vanity Fair. “So much of queer cinema—and I’ve made queer cinema like this—is about the struggles. For me, this has always been about wanting it to be accessible to everyone.”

    Rather than focus on external pressures or trauma, The History of Sound seeks to portray a queer relationship as deeply human and universally resonant.

    “We’re not going to make a movie about the problematizing of their relationship or their sexuality,” Hermanus explained. “It’s about love, loss, companionship—and that’s something everyone can relate to.”

    Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor Reunite with Emotionally Complex Roles

    Both Mescal and O’Connor are no strangers to emotionally rich performances. Mescal earned critical acclaim for his roles in All of Us Strangers and Aftersun, while O’Connor is best known for The Crown, Challengers, and his BAFTA-winning role in God’s Own Country.

    In this new film, Mescal described his character’s emotional depth as the story’s core.

    “It definitely has romantic gestures in it,” he said. “But it is fundamentally about Lionel’s life. There is a kind of real sense of companionship, and the joy and loss that comes with the presence and absence of that. It’s not just about sex and the intensity of falling in love. It’s deeper than that.”

    Their chemistry on screen is expected to be a highlight of the film, which promises to explore the emotional complexities of queer love without sensationalism or stereotype.

    A Period Drama for a Modern Queer Audience

    What sets The History of Sound apart from many historical queer dramas is its intention to move away from narratives of secrecy and repression. While the story includes moments of sorrow and struggle, the filmmakers have emphasized that its heart is about connection and the human need to preserve memory.

    “The idea of sound, of memory, of history—those are powerful things,” Hermanus said. “These characters are trying to hold on to something ephemeral, and in doing so, they fall in love.”

    The film also stars Molly Price, Raphael Sbarge, Hadley Robinson, Emma Canning, Briana Middleton, Gary Raymond, Alison Bartlett, and Michael Schantz in supporting roles.

    With lush cinematography, a poignant storyline, and two of today’s most celebrated actors in leading roles, The History of Sound is already poised to become a standout in 2025’s film landscape.

    Representation That Resonates

    The History of Sound arrives at a time when calls for more authentic, joyful, and emotionally complex queer representation in cinema are louder than ever. For many LGBTQ+ viewers, seeing a story like this—free from shame or apology—is more than entertainment; it’s affirmation.

    From its world premiere at Cannes to its inevitable critical and cultural impact, The History of Sound promises to be a landmark in queer cinema—honoring love, memory, and the music that ties us all together.

  • 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