Josh O'Connor and Paul Mescal star in Oliver Hermanus' new film, 'The History Of Sound' - an impassioned love affair soundtracked by traditional folk songs.
Director Hermanus explains: "At its core, the film is about the idea that your first love might also be your greatest - and your last. I perceive the big idea of the film as: What happens if your first love is your great love, and is your last love? That’s the emotional spine of the story. If those are the three loves of your life, what happens if they’re all one person? It’s the folly of young people to assume that there will be more, that there will be others. You get to this moment of reflection where you go, that was the moment. The question is whether it’s a sad reflection or a grateful, nostalgic reflection. For me, that’s the universal truth: the point in life where you reflect on a formative relationship and wonder - was there something left unsaid? Would I have done anything differently? I don’t necessarily view these characters as exclusively queer or repressed."
Recently in London, Coup De Main convened with Josh O'Connor and Paul Mescal to discuss their beautiful on-screen collaboration, witness a special showcase of artistic finesse (FYI, Mescal wants you to know that he's "terrible at drawing"), and create a limited-edition zine ("I'm fascinated to see how this comes out," giggles O'Connor when asked to utilise their acting talents for polaroid photo poses)...
COUP DE MAIN: Lionel wonders what his life sounds like, and so I pose the question to you both also: What do you think your life sounds like?
PAUL MESCAL: I was at a gig the other day, and it was a band called Ye Vagabonds, and there was an Irish poet and writer who died called Manchán [Magan] - and the lead singer said that the last time he saw Manchán, he was at his house, and at 6am he recorded the morning chorus. It was the most exquisite sound when I heard it - I was like, 'Jesus, if somebody could qualify or make the sound of your life sound like a morning chorus, then you're living a good life.' Not that I think that's what my life sounds like, but I would want it to sound that way.
JOSH O'CONNOR: That's a very good answer. I've used this artist a couple of times already today, but I love his music, and lyrically - Daniel Johnston. Sometimes I feel like what Daniel Johnston did so beautifully was that there was a simplicity that none of us could ever capture, that Daniel captured. And kind of the way my brain works is so over-complicated and confuses everything, so often, that I think those sounds, that kind of analogue raw sound of Daniel Johnston and the lyrics that go alongside, it sometimes feels like that might help make me understand my life a bit better.
CDM: Is there a song that means as much to you as 'Silver Dagger' means to David and Lionel?
PAUL: Oof!
JOSH: Yes.
PAUL: 'About Today' by The National.
JOSH: Oh god... mine is a Nick Cave song, but I always forget the name of it... it's Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds... 'Galleon Ship', yes!
CDM: While on their trip together collecting folk songs, David picks up feathers that fall out of Lionel's pillow, and Lionel mends David's socks for him. I feel like Acts of Service is a main love language for both of them. What are your love languages?
JOSH & PAUL: <say in unison> Acts of Service.
JOSH: I get so moved when someone does something nice for me.
PAUL: Yeah, the thing I find so moving about that in life, in general, is when it's done kind of thoughtlessly, but it's full of thought.
JOSH: Without the other person knowing.
PAUL: Yeah!
JOSH: Wow.
CDM: David changes Lionel's life entirely. Do you think that's true to real life - that one person can completely change your life?
PAUL: Yes. Entirely.
JOSH: Yeah for sure.
CDM: In his old age, Lionel has still kept a feather that David gave him. Are there any random nostalgic items you have still kept?
PAUL: So many.
JOSH: So many! I feel like a magpie a lot of the time. Wait, not a magpie.
PAUL: Magpies collect.
JOSH: Is it magpies, anyone? Blackbirds? No!
PAUL: Magpies, they definitely collect.
JOSH: Good. I feel like a magpie, yeah, I've got so many little objects that I've kept for a very long time that are meaningful.
CDM: Some actors have to tackle crazy stunts when filming, and some actors have to spit water in another actor's mouth... Josh, how easy or hard was it for you to spit water in Paul's mouth?
JOSH: It was actually quite a technical challenge.
PAUL: It was quite difficult. I was trying to give him a big target. <laughs>
JOSH: On the page, it was simple.
PAUL: Looks easy, sounds easy.
JOSH: It's actually not. And we did a few takes of it not being anywhere near Paul.
CDM: They should give you an Oscar for successfully doing that.
JOSH: Thank you. That's what I've been saying.
'The History Of Sound' is out in New Zealand cinemas from December 18.
Watch a trailer below...
