In Oliver Hermanus' drama, two music students form a profound attachment in early 20th century New England, reuniting years later to travel the Maine backwoods collecting traditional folk songs.

In this period drama, premiering at Cannes, two of Hollywood's buzziest male actors play lovers making music together – but the film could do with far more passion and urgency.

That’s a question confronted by Oliver Hermanus ’s new film The History of Sound, which premiered here in Cannes on May 21. The film, based on a short story by Ben Shattuck, is about two young men who first meet in 1917,