Echoes of a Lost Era: Oliver Hermanus’s 'The History of Sound' is an Exquisite, Heart-Wrenching Symphony

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A Symphony of Neon and Memory: Why Bi Gan’s 'Resurrection' is a Sci-Fi Masterpiece

Oliver Hermanus (director of Living, Moffie) cements his position as an illustrator of repressed desires and melancholy with his film The History of Sound. Adapted from Ben Shattuck’s acclaimed, Pushcart Prize-winning short story, the film is a deeply moving and poetic historical romance. Set in the midst of World War I, the story chronicles the lives of two young American men, Lionel and David, who set out in the summer of 1916 on a journey to record the fading folk songs of rural New England. What begins as an ambitious scientific and ethnomusicological exploration quickly turns into a deep and forbidden love story whose echo resonates across generations.

The beating heart of the film relies on the extraordinary chemistry between Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor; two of the most capable actors of their generation. Mescal gives a tangible and tender vulnerability to the role of Lionel, while O'Connor infuses David with a passionate charm. Hermanus directs the formation of their emotional relationship with extraordinary restraint, focusing on quiet glances, accidental brushes of hands, and the shared intimacy derived from listening. As they record the fading voices of traditional singers, the film beautifully reflects their inner journey; an attempt to preserve something fleeting, beautiful, and fragile before it is swallowed by the impending tragedy of the Great War.

The History of Sound is a masterclass in cinema from both a visual and auditory perspective. The cinematography captures the pastoral, sun-drenched beauty of the American Northeast with a nostalgic and elegiac texture, linking the warmth of that fateful summer with the cold reality of historical changes. The sound design, as expected, becomes a distinct character in the film itself; the scratching of a phonograph needle, the sound of the wind through the New England woods, and the enchanting melodies of traditional ballads all blend together to create an unforgettable listening experience. This film is an intensely beautiful work about love, art, and the ghosts we leave behind in the audio tracks of time.

Final Verdict: 4.8 out of 5 stars. A lyrical and intensely beautiful achievement, solidified by brilliant performances that stand at the peak of Mescal and O'Connor's careers.