Oliver Hermanus’ “The History of Sound,” starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor, might crash this year’s fall festival circuit, or even earlier, and Variety is reporting that Mubi has hopped along for the ride.
Last summer, there had been reports that the film might be ready for a Venice premiere but Hermanus had insisted that it was still in post production. Mubi, coming off the success of “The Substance,” are clearly banking on this one being a major festival and awards player.
“Venice asked for it but it’s not ready,” Hermanus said last year. “We have a lot of score to create, Paul [Mescal] and Josh [O’Connor] sing in it, and it’s all about sound,” he continued, with a laugh. He went on to add that they are aiming for a Cannes 2025 debut instead.
Mubi tells Variety that it’s planning a theatrical release for 2025, following a “world premiere to be announced in the coming months.”
“The History of Sound” sounds like prestige Oscar bait as it’s based on a Prize-winning short story by Ben Shattuck. This is being dubbed an “historical romantic drama” about two men, Lionel (Mescal) and David (O’Connor), who fall in love while traveling together to record the stories and songs of their countrymen during World War I.
In an interview with Variety, Hermanus said, “This is an unexpected love story that needs to be told — it is a journey through the life of America, across the 20th century and the traditions of American folk music, all seen through the bond between two men immersed in the history of sound.”
Hailing for South Africa, Hermanus is coming off his STARZ limited series, “Mary & George,” and 2022’s “Living,” an “Ikiru” remake which earned Bill Nighy an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. His other directing credits include “Moffie” and “Beauty.”