Queer Film: Oliver Hermanus’ “The History of Sound” in Line for Palme d’Or Prize

The History of Sound, the new queer film by acclaimed South African filmmaker Oliver Hermanus, will be competing for the Palme d’Or prize – considered one of the film industry’s most prestigious awards – at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.

The festival’s line-up was announced on Thursday, representing some of the most critically anticipated films of the year. The History of Sound’s screening at the festival in May will also serve as its world premiere.

The gay romantic period drama, written and directed by Hermanus, is based on the award-winning short story of the same name by Ben Shattuck. 

Set in the early 20th century, The History of Sound explores the relationship between two men who meet in 1916. They embark on a journey in the summer of 1919 to record the folk songs of their countrymen in rural New England.

The film stars Josh O’Connor—best known for his Emmy-winning portrayal of Prince Charles in Netflix’s The Crown—and Paul Mescal, who recently appeared in Gladiator II.

The actors are no strangers to queer cinema, with O’Connor having played a Yorkshire sheep farmer in the acclaimed gay love story God’s Own Country (2017) while Mescal starred the romantic fantasy film, All of Us Strangers (2023). 

In a statement released when The History of Sound was first announced in 2021, Hermanus said: “I instantly fell in love with Ben Shattuck’s flawlessly beautiful short story and knew I had to be involved in its journey to the screen.”

He described O’Connor and Mescal as “two of the most promising actors of their generation.”

“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. This undeniably powerful story will certainly resonate with audiences the world over.”

Hermanus’ 2019 film Moffie told the story of a young conscript battling to survive compulsory military service in apartheid-era South Africa while coming to terms with his sexual orientation. The film received widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for three British Independent Film Awards.

His earlier queer-themed film, Skoonheid (Beauty), won the Queer Palm at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. In 2022, Hermanus directed Living, which earned Academy Award nominations for Best Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay.

In 2024, he also released his first television project, Mary & George, starring Julianne Moore and Nicholas Galitzine.