South African filmmaker Oliver Hermanus might be another newbie in competition but this first trip to Cannes as he premiered 2011’s Beauty in the Un Certain Regard section. He directed 2019’s Moffie (read review) but is best known for his last work – a rare Sundance-Venice selection in 2022’s Living. His sixth feature film moved into production in February of 2024 with Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal toplining a WWI themed love story. The History of Sound is based on the short story of the same name by Ben Shattuck, it is about the relationship between two men who meet in 1916 and then travel together in the summer of 1919 to record the folk songs of their countrymen in rural New England. This is competition film #17 of twenty-two.
The second competition film of a day of three, Oliver Hermanus’ first time in competition had some supporters but with fifteen critics weighing in we have an average score of 2.9. It has the gloss and Mubi will be happy with this title come awards season.
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