Josh O’Connor recently opened up about the memorable spitting scene he shared with Paul Mescal in the film The History of Sound. This moment, which involves O’Connor’s character spitting water into the mouth of Mescal’s character, took place during a Q&A at the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado. Fans were given an intimate look at the filming of this unusual yet pivotal scene.
How the Scene Unfolded on Set
The scene, described by GQ as the film’s “horniest moment,” shows David, played by O’Connor, spitting water into Lionel’s mouth before their characters engage in a sexual encounter. O’Connor shared that during the first take, the spit didn’t go exactly as planned.
“We were kind of keeping ourselves separate, and really in the characters, and then we did the first take, and it was the spit, and I just—it just dribbled down me,”
he recalled.
Mescal, portraying Lionel, was in character and mimed lying back with his mouth open, waiting for the spit on cue. Both actors and the audience could not help but laugh at the moment’s unexpected outcome. Mescal also joked,
If you clipped this without sound it would be…
—Paul Mescal, Actor
Overview of The History of Sound and Its Release Details
The History of Sound is a romantic drama directed by Oliver Hermanus, set during World War I. The story follows David and Lionel as they travel across the country to document the lives of their fellow countrymen. The cast also includes Molly Price, Raphael Sbarge, Hadley Robinson, Emma Canning, Briana Middleton, and Gary Raymond.
The film had its debut screening at the Telluride Film Festival and is scheduled for theatrical release in the United States on September 12, followed by Canadian theaters on September 19. A release date for the United Kingdom has not yet been announced.
The Significance of This Scene and Its Reception
This particular spitting scene has caught significant audience attention for its raw and intimate portrayal of connection between the characters. Sharing these behind-the-scenes details offers fans a glimpse into the actors‘ process and highlights the unexpected moments during filming that contribute to the film’s authenticity. With its imminent release, The History of Sound is poised to attract viewers interested in narrative-driven historic romance.
