The History Of Sound is a new movie directed by Oliver Hermanus and is based on the Pushcart Prize-winning story by Ben Shattuck. Starring Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal, this is the story of two men who fall in love during WWI.

Image Credit: IMDB

The original short story by Ben Shattuck focused on two men, Lionel and David, now played by Mescal and O’Connor. During World War I, the two young music students begin recording the voices and music of American countrymen, while also catching insights into their lives.

Contrast bonds Lionel and David as much as their similarities. At the New England Conservatory, they share a passion for music according to their natural talents: shy, Lionel has perfect pitch and majors in Voice; extroverted David with his nearly eidetic memory concentrates in Music History.

The two young men’s backgrounds are drastically different. Lionel is a backwoods Kentucky boy, not comfortable in the Boston high culture. David comes from Newport and is sophisticated and enigmatic, making him very much at home. Their love overlaps and they both find common ground in romance, which they explore during the summer break, travelling to backwoods and collecting sound samples from locals.

When asked about the short story director Oliver 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,”. “Paul and Josh are two of the most promising actors of their generation who will share with us deeply soulful performances. 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.”

Ben Shattuck’s short story is available to read online and movie production is set to begin in the Summer of 2022 in the United States, United Kingdom, and Italy.

This is a must-read short story and a must-see film when it is released. This is a story that will resonate with many people.

Published by HOLR Magazine.