Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal are slated to star in gay romance film The History of Sound, an Oliver Hermanus-directed adaptation of an award-winning short story.

The story follows two young men, Lionel (Mescal) and David (O’Connor), who set out to record the lives, voices and music of their countrymen during the WWI period.

An official description of the movie reads: “In this snatched, short-lived moment in their young lives, and while discovering the epic sweep of the US, both men are deeply changed.”

The History of Sound is based on the eponymous Pushcart Prize-winning story by American author Ben Shattuck, which is available to read online in literary journal. Film4 are co-financing the production.

“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,” Hermanus said of the project.

“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.”

The project will be produced by End Cue’s Andrew Kortschak (Cop Car, The Art of Self-Defense) and Lisa Ciuffetti alongside Andrea Roa.

O’Connor’s breakout role was playing a Yorkshire sheep farmer in gay love story God’s Own Country from Ammonite director Francis Lee. He is a recent Golden Globe and Emmy winner and recently received a third BAFTA nomination for his role as Prince Charles in Netflix’s The Crown.

Recent film credits include Mothering Sunday alongside Olivia Colman and Colin Firth. He will next be seen in Frank Berry’s Aisha alongside Letitia Wright.

Mescal delivered a BAFTA-winning and Emmy-nominated performance in the BBC’s Normal People, alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones. He most recently starred alongside Olivia Colman in Venice Film Festival winner The Lost Daughter, directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal.

The Kildare man also stars in the forthcoming Benjamin Millepied adaptation of Carmen and God’s Creatures for A24, which are both in post-production.

Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal will star in gay romance 'The History of Sound', an Oliver Hermanus-directed adaptation of an award-winning short story. pic.twitter.com/HA0yamhVZG

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) October 29, 2021