Speed Cinema Screenings: The History of Sound 10/5/25 3PM

“A beautiful period drama that’s as gorgeous as it is heartbreaking.”—Lou Thomas, NME

The History of Sound is a sweeping, moving and tender romance that spans decades and continents. In 1917, Lionel (Paul Mescal)—a young, talented music student—leaves his rural Kentucky farm to study at the Boston Conservatory, where he meets fellow student David (Josh O’Connor). A connection over their deep love of folk music leads to a fleeting love affair.

They reconnect years later, leading to an impromptu journey through the backwoods of Maine to collect and record traditional folk songs on wax cylinders. This unexpected reunion and the music they preserve will shape the course of Lionel’s life for decades to come. From director Oliver Hermanus (Living), this is a beautiful and compelling cinematic experience that tells the story of a love that can’t last, a life forever altered, and the ways in which music creates bonds between us that echo for a lifetime. A selection of the Cannes Film Festival and the Telluride Film Festival. 2025, U.S., DCP, 127 minutes. Rated R.