On questionnaires for film research projections, they always ask “choose words that best describe the film”. Okay, here are the words I will write to get the new film best The history of sound Who had his world premiere this evening in competition at the Cannes Film Festival: Meditative. Beautiful. Musical. Reflective. Tearing. Love. Calm. Soothing. Affirmation of life. Haunted. Tasteful. Adult. Unforgettable.
The title does it seems rather academic, but that is certainly not that. Maybe more than it should have been called The sound of music, But I think someone already had that. Okay, what would you say Music sounds? In fact, the title they have adapts perfectly once you arrive at the end, but will it sell tickets? This is the problem for the distributor (Mubi in North America; Universal / Focus presents International), but the film itself, directed by Oliver Hermanus and written by Ben Shattock from its own news, various. Hermanus also made the formidable remake of Kurosawa Life, And he made a quietly masterful love story here containing a wonderful lead performance by Paul Mescal and an equally beautiful support tour of Josh O’Connor. It is simply enveloping you in its unique world and you wash with a Songbook of America, and a haunting gay love story in its center, which describes this person who will always be your great love, no matter how long you have spent with them.
Located in 1917, music students David (O’Connor) and Lionel (Mescal) find a mutual love of folk music heard unless they hit these rural households where authenticity is. This relationship also finds them in love in a surprisingly unusual relaxed manner for the time. It was supposed to be and it was a journey that altered life, but after being above their lives, their lives changed. Lionel returned to university in the United Kingdom, David remained behind. Despite the writing of several letters and will not recover anything during two or three years, Lionel would never hear David again – at least he thinks.
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In the meantime, Lionel becomes serious with a student, Clarissa (an animated Emma Canning), who encourages her to continue university. But when Word reaches him that his mother (Molly Price) is dying, he announces that he returns to Kentucky where he comes from and does not come back. Soon he will discover surprising truths while music returns in his life.
Deliberately punctuated and beautifully turned by Alexander Dynamo, The history of sound Can take place slowly but give it a chance and it will wrap you and take you to places where the films do not often go these days. I realized that I am looking at what extent there are few of these films now in a period that does not want to finance films like Malick Days of paradise This is what it reminded me of in terms of visual sumptuousness and rhythm.
Musically, it is a wonder, with O’Connor, and especially mescal, proving that they have the pipes to remove a soundtrack of American folk darkness which make it an essential download. Lyrically, the songs tell stories of everything, from murder to love through morality, emotions and daily feelings, and were spectacularly arranged by the famous recording artist Sam Amidon, who specializes in this area. “Sweet is the day of sacred rest”, “forked deer”, “the serious unquiet”, “fourteen wild comrades” and “through the rocky mountain” are only a sample of titles, but the collective power of this music swings you directly in this world of road not taken.
It may still be Mescal’s best job in films. You just hurt for this guy who found the great love of his life to let him slip into his hands without knowing it. His performance, like O’Connor, whose character is always present even with much less screen time, is nicely discreet and all the more effective for that. The two serve obsessive representations. Chris Cooper presents himself towards the end of the film to play a much older version of Lionel and is quite moving. Hadley Robinson also makes a strong impression in a key scene where many revelations occur. Eventually, The history of sound belongs to Mescal and O’Connor, who both committed pre-countryic well before becoming the main stars nominated from the Oscars and Emmy. They stayed with all delays and should be rewarded for their loyalty to Hermanus, who made a film that will remain in your head for a very long time. It’s so good.
The producers are Lisa Ciuffetti, Hermanus, Andrew Korteschak, Sara Murphy, Thérèsa Ryan and Zhang Xin.
Title: The history of sound
Festival: Cannes (competition)
Distributors: MUBI (North America); Universal / focus characteristics (international)
Director: Oliver Hermanus
Scriptwriter: Ben Shattock
Casting: Paul Mescal, Josh O’Connor, Raphael Sbarge, Hadley Robinson, Emma Canning, Mollly Price, Tom Mills, Michael Scantz, Christ Cooper, Gary Raymond, Sam Breslin Wright, Stephanie Fayerman
Operating time: 2 h 7 minutes
