During the recent Cannes press conference for “The History of Sound,” actor Paul Mescal shared his thoughts on the evolving portrayal of masculinity in cinema. He expressed his belief that film is progressively moving away from traditional alpha male roles. The movie, directed by Oliver Hermanus, features Mescal alongside Josh O’Connor in a poignant gay romance, where the two musicians embark on a journey to New England in the summer of 1919 to record the folk songs of their rural countrymen.
Mescal emphasized, “It’s ever shifting. I think maybe in cinema we’re moving away from the traditional, alpha, leading male characters.” He elaborated that while the film does not aim to redefine masculinity, it offers a subjective exploration of the relationship between the two main characters, Lionel and David. This nuanced approach to masculinity stands in contrast to the stereotypical portrayals often seen in Hollywood.
When the topic of comparisons between “The History of Sound” and the iconic film Brokeback Mountain arose, Mescal voiced his frustrations. He deemed such comparisons “lazy and frustrating,” despite several reviews drawing parallels between the two films, including one from Variety. “I personally don’t see the parallels at all with ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ other than we spent a little time in a tent,” he quipped, drawing laughter from the audience. He noted that while Brokeback Mountain is a beautiful film, it grapples with themes of repression, whereas “The History of Sound” celebrates the love between its characters.
Mescal also discussed his chemistry with co-star O’Connor, who was absent from the press conference and premiere due to obligations with Steven Spielberg’s upcoming film. He described O’Connor as “one of the easiest persons” to build chemistry with, highlighting their five-year friendship as a foundation for their on-screen connection. “We were definitely friendly, so that foundation of safety and play was there, but that relationship really deepened in the three or four weeks we were filming,” Mescal explained.
Despite the film's serious themes, Mescal revealed that the set was characterized by a “very light and boyish and nonsensical” atmosphere. He reflected on how fortunate he felt to have already known O’Connor well, allowing them to explore their characters deeply during the filming process. One of Mescal’s favorite memories involved their shared obsession with Jolly Ranchers, revealing that they would consume eight of these candies daily. “It sounds kind of coy but Josh is just incredibly silly to me,” he shared, emphasizing the playful dynamic between them.
When asked if the film influenced his perspective on love, Mescal noted that he was 24 when he first read the script. He believes that his understanding of the role would have differed significantly if he had played it at that age. “Love is a very complicated — what’s the thing, Andrew Scott’s speech in ‘Fleabag’ about love at the end at the wedding. That’s what I think about,” he remarked, highlighting the complexity of romantic relationships.
He added, “What I found so moving about the screenplay is that it’s never really described in words, it’s described in actions and things you don’t see. That’s something I’ve learned in my own life; kindness is wildly underrated in romantic relationships and should be celebrated.”
The History of Sound premiered at Cannes to an emotional audience, receiving a heartfelt six-minute ovation. Mescal was visibly moved during the applause, despite O’Connor’s absence due to his filming commitments. The film also features a talented ensemble cast, including Chris Cooper, Molly Price, Raphael Sbarge, Hadley Robinson, Emma Canning, Briana Middleton, and Gary Raymond.
