Mubi has released the first trailer for “The History of Sound,” a gay romance movie starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor that was nominated for the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
“The History of Sound” is based on the short story of the same name written by Ben Shattuck, who also penned the film’s screenplay.
The logline reads: “Lionel (Mescal) is a talented singer from rural Kentucky raised on the songs his father would sing on the front porch. In 1917, he leaves his family farm to attend the Boston Music Conservatory. There he meets David (O’Connor), a charming music composing student who is soon drafted into the end of the war. In 1920, the two spend a winter walking through the forests and islands of Maine, collecting folk songs in order to preserve them for future generations. Lionel drifts through Europe in his twenties and thirties, building a new life of profound success and happiness, and experiencing new loves. Yet he is constantly drawn back to memories of his brief time with David, trying to understand the impact of their relationship. Eventually, a reminder of their work together reveals why their connection rang loud.”
The film is directed by Oliver Hermanus (“Living,” “Moffie”). It is produced by End Cue’s Andrew Kortschak and Lisa Ciuffetti alongside Fat City’s Sara Murphy, as well as Thérèsa Ryan-van Graan, Zhang Xin and Hermanus. Film4, Closer Media, Tango Entertainment and Storm City Films are financing the film. Executive producers are Ollie Madden and Farhana Bhula for Film4, William Horberg and Richard Lewis for Closer Media, Tim Headington, Lia Buman and Neil Shah for Tango, and Dennis Masel and Gabrielle Nadig for Storm City. Alongside Mescal, Walter Kortschak, Ryan Zacarias and Andrea Roa executive produce.
“History of Sound” will release in theaters on Sept. 12. Watch the trailer below.