Paul Mescal was visibly emotional on Wednesday after his latest film received a nine-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival.
The Maynooth man starts alongside Josh O’Connor in queer romance "The History of Sound," which premiered at the iconic film festival.
The film, which spans over a few decades, was director by Oliver Hermanus and sees Paul play talented singer Lionel who leaves his family and meets David (played by O’Connor) for a brief period.
The story shows their budding relationship before the experiences that Lionel goes through in the years following his time with David.
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Paul took to the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, dressed in a tailored black blazer and flared black trousers from Gucci.
A loose black tie completed his look.
Josh O’Connor was nowhere to be seen due to filming commitments with Steven Spielberg, though director Oliver Hermanus was there, with Deadline reporting it was the South African’s first time in the main theatre.
@festivaldecannes The History of Sound is in Competition for the Palme d’or this year ! 🏆 #cannes2025 #onregardequoi #thehistoryofsound #paulmescal #joshoconnor ♬ son original - FestivaldeCannes
Speaking to Variety, Paul reflected on masculinity in the film during a press conference, noting that it was "ever shifting."
He said: "I think maybe in cinema we’re moving away from the traditional, alpha, leading male characters. I don’t think the film is defining or attempting to redefine masculinity, I think it is being very subjective to the relationship between Lionel and David."
He hit out at the comparison of his new flick to Brokeback Mountain, branding it "lazy and frustrating."
"I personally don’t see the parallels at all, other than we spent a little time in a tent," the Maynooth man said, prompting a round of laughter.
Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor, pictured here in 2021. (Getty Images)
Elsewhere, Mescal praised his co-star, saying he had a "great gift."
He shared: "We’ve known each other for about five years and 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."
*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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