WATCH: Paul Mescal & Josh O’Connor duet in gay romantic drama ‘The History Of Sound’

Have you, like us, been eager to see Paul Mescal and Josh’Connor do it—excuse us, duet?

If so, you’re in luck, because the very musical trailer for The History Of Sound is here, giving us our first real look at the upcoming romantic drama which just might be the most buzzed about gay film of the year.

Adapted from a short story of the same name by Ben Shattuck (who, fun fact, is married to the hilarious Jenny Slate) and directed by Oliver Hermanus (Mary & George, Moffie), the film promises to tell a sweeping American story of love, loss, and folk music set in the early 20th century.

How about we take this to the next level?

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At the heart of it all is Lionel (Mescal), a gifted young music student at the prestigious Boston Conservancy in 1917, who has a chance encounter with David (O’Connor) at the bar one night. After bonding over their shared love of folk tunes, the pair wind up in bed together, striking up a connection that will shape the rest of their lives.

Some time later, Lionel gets an invite from David to join him on an impromptu journey across rural New England where they’ll record and preserve the traditional music of Americana, and spend each night in a tent, side-by-side—fleeting glimpses over a world all their own.

Now, we know what you might be thinking: “Two men getting intimate in the wilderness at a time in American history when homosexuality was frowned upon? That sounds a lot like Brokeback Mountain!”

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But don’t tell Paul Mescal that! During a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival where The History Of Sound premiered, the actor called comparisons to Ang Lee’s landmark 2005 film “lazy and frustrating,” remarking that, instead of repression, this film is about celebrating the love between these two men.

And it’s certainly apparent from the trailer that this story follows it’s own beat, especially after O’Connor’s David is shipped off to fight in WWI, leaving Mescal’s Lionel heartbroken and contemplative as he sets down his own path in life.

In an official press statement, Hermanus further elaborates on the film’s themes:

“The History Of Sound is not simply the story of queer lives hidden due to a time of denial, of shame and secrecy,” the filmmaker shares. “It is the story of a man’s life, expressed through the power of sound—as memory, as emotion… As family. Made with a deep affection for cinema that does not shout or scream its intention, our film invites you to enjoy song and spirit, to celebrate life in all its wonder—its losses, its grief, its remembrance, and most of all, its undeniable and indelible mark—love.”

It’s a beautiful sentiment that will surely draw true cinephiles to the theater… as will the promise of seeing Mescal and O’Connor—two of the most in-demand actors working today—falling in love with each other on screen. To quote the great Ayo Edebiri: We’re seated. The theater employees are scared and asking us to leave because it’s “not September yet” but we’re simply too seated.

The History Of Sound is set to open in U.S. theaters on September 12, courtesy of Mubi. Check out the first official trailer below:

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