THE HISTORY OF SOUND (CLOSING CEREMONY)

USA, UK |  2025 | COLOR | DCP | 127’ | ENGLISH

One night in 1917, two music students meet in Boston, fall in love almost instantly, and at some point embark on an exploratory journey that takes them deep into the American countryside. Their goal is to collect and record songs directly from the locals, considering them an essential part of an oral tradition that must be preserved. Their acquaintance is a tender conspiracy, the force that pushes them to defy their own realities and, ultimately, what becomes the defining shared experience that will leave an indelible mark on them. Because the deeply romantic “History of Sound” is a film about first loves, which may prove to be the most enduring, those that defeat time and turn to what one is destined to carry within until the end. Contrary to most queer romances cinema has told us lately, Oliver Hermanus’ works in a more minimalist and low-key tone, seeking with this cinematic ballad to find how some things, however fleeting and deceptive, mark us for life. Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor are the wonderful protagonists. L.K.

The following applies for the screening at OLYMPIA:
After the start of the Closing Ceremony – Awards Presentation, entry to the auditorium is NOT permitted. The film screening will begin immediately after the conclusion of the awards presentation.

DIRECTOR: Oliver Hermanus
SCREENWRITER: Ben Shattuck
DoP: Alexander Dynan
EDITOR: Chris Wyatt
PRINCIPAL CAST : Paul Mescal, Josh O'Connor, Chris Cooper

OLIVER HERMANUS
South African director and screenwriter, born in 1983 in Cape Town. He graduated from the University of Cape Town and completed his postgraduate studies at the London Film School thanks to a private scholarship from director Roland Emmerich. His work often deals with complex social issues and has received significant international recognition. His films have been invited to the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals, and his film "Beauty" won the Queer Palm at Cannes. 

FILMOGRAPHY
2025 The History of Sound
2022 Living
2019 Moffie
2015 The Endless River
2011 Beauty
2009 Shirley Adams