Directed by Oliver Hermanus (LIVING, MOFFIE)
Starring Paul Mescal, Josh O’Connor and Chris Cooper
Written by Ben Shattuck (Based on his short story)
A Note From Director Oliver Hermanus:
“I’ve been living with this film, this story, for five years. This film has been a personal and defining journey; it has moved me to a new country, educated me about the power of music and song, it has conjured a re evaluation of love and the bonds that last a lifetime.”
“The History of Sound is not simply the story of queer lives hidden due to a time of denial, of shame and secrecy. It is the story of a man’s life, expressed through the power of sound — as memory, as emotion… As family.”
“Our film is an offering of an idea, a very potent one – what if one’s first love, one’s great love, and one’s last love are all in one, and all too soon in one’s life…? What is it to live a life that is an echo? What does it sound like, in retrospect? And if offered a choice, would you change the course of your life’s path?”
“Made with a deep affection for cinema that does not shout or scream its intention, our film invites you to enjoy song and spirit, to celebrate life in all its wonder — its losses, its grief, its remembrance, and most of all, its undeniable and indelible mark – love.”
Synopsis:
Starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor, THE HISTORY OF SOUND is a sweeping, moving and tender romance that spans decades and continents. It tells the story of a love that can’t last, a life forever altered, and the ways in which music creates bonds between us that echo for a lifetime.
In 1917, Lionel (Mescal, Aftersun) – a young, talented music student – meets David (O’Connor, Challengers) at the Boston Conservatory, where a connection over a deep love of music leads to a fleeting love affair. They reconnect years later, leading to an impromptu journey through the backwoods of Maine to collect traditional folk songs. This unexpected reunion and the music they preserve will shape the course of Lionel’s life for decades to come.
Sumptuously realised by director Oliver Hermanus (Living) and based on a short story by Ben Shattuck, this is a beautiful and compelling cinematic experience that invites audiences to reflect on the power of music and love.
Directed by: Oliver Hermanus
Screenplay: Ben Shattuck
Starring: Paul Mescal, Josh O’Connor, Molly Price, Alison Bartlett, and Chris Cooper
Cinematography: Alexander Dynan
Music Supervisor: Lucy Bright
Editor: Chris Wyatt
Casting: Susan Shopmaker
Production Design: Deborah Jensen
Costume Design: Miyako Bellizzi
THE HISTORY OF SOUND WILL BE IN THEATRES IN THE UNITED STATES FROM SEPTEMBER 12, 2025 AND
ACROSS CANADA FROM SEPTEMBER 19, 2025
About MUBI
MUBI is a global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating great cinema. MUBI creates, curates, acquires and champions visionary films, bringing them to audiences all over the world.
MUBI is a place to discover ambitious films, from both iconic directors and emerging auteurs. All carefully chosen by MUBI’s curators. With MUBI GO, members in select countries can get a free ticket every week to see the best new films in cinemas. And Notebook explores all sides of cinema culture — both in print and online.
Some previous and upcoming MUBI Releases include: Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, Joshua Oppenheimer’s The End, Magnus von Horn’s The Girl with the Needle, Pinny Grylls & Sam Crane’s Grand Theft Hamlet, Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, Ira Sachs’ Passages, Pedro Almodóvar’s Strange Way of Life, Molly Manning Walker’s How to Have Sex, Aki Kaurismäki’s Fallen Leaves, Charlotte Wells’ Aftersun, Park Chan-wook’s Decision to Leave, Joachim Trier’s The Worst Person in the World, Lukas Dhont’s Close, and Céline Sciamma’s Petite Maman.
MUBI Productions include Kelly Reichardt’s The Mastermind starring Josh O’Connor, Christopher Andrews’ Bring Them Down starring Christopher Abbott and Barry Keoghan, Elizabeth Sankey’s Witches, and Bill Ross IV and Turner Ross’ Gasoline Rainbow. MUBI Co-productions include Jim Jarmusch’s Father Mother Sister Brother starring Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Tom Waits, Charlotte Rampling, Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Indya Moore and Luka Sabbat, Karim Aïnouz’s Rosebush Pruning starring Callum Turner, Riley Keough, Jamie Bell, Lukas Gage, Elena Anaya, Tracy Letts, Elle Fanning and Pamela Anderson, and Michel Franco’s Memory starring Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard.
Founded in 2007 by Efe Cakarel, MUBI is the biggest community of film lovers anywhere, with members across 190 different countries. MUBI is headquartered in London, with 15 offices across the world and over 400 employees. MUBI acquired renowned sales agent and production company The Match Factory and Match Factory Productions in January 2022, and a majority stake in leading Benelux film distributor Cinéart in February 2024.
Subscription plans are $14.99 a month or $119.88 for 12 months, or $19.99 a month or $167.88 for 12 months to include MUBI GO. MUBI is available on the web, Roku devices, Apple Vision Pro, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, LG and Samsung Smart TVs, as well as on mobile devices including iPad, iPhone and Android.
Source: MUBI Canada
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The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.
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