Sbarge at Cannes for The History Of Sound Premiere
Raphael Sbarge attends Cannes for the world premiere of Oliver Hermanus’s new drama film!!
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At the 78th Cannes Film Festival, actor Raphael Sbarge stepped onto the red carpet to celebrate the world premiere of The History Of Sound, directed by Oliver Hermanus and starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor. The South African filmmaker’s latest period drama has already generated buzz among critics here on the Riviera, and Sbarge was among the first to share his excitement with fans.
World Premiere In Cannes
Raphael Sbarge took to Instagram shortly after the screening to capture the moment. He wrote, “What a ROAR of an experience with the World Premier THE HISTORY OF SOUND at Cannes. It’s a beautiful film, lovingly directed by Oliver Hermanus, starring Paul Mescal & Josh O’Conner. Coming to theaters everywhere this Fall. #CANNES2025 #HistoryofSound #Cannes”. A series of photos showed Sbarge beaming alongside members of the cast and crew on the famous red carpet steps.
In a prior Instagram update from earlier in the festival, Sbarge teased his double-header of Cannes titles: “See you in Cannes! Looking forward to the World Premiere of HISTORY OF SOUND and LOVING DAY. #Cannes2025 #HistoryofSound #LovingDay.” That post underlined his role not only in the feature by Hermanus but also in the short film Loving Day, directed by Daeil Kim.
Inside The History Of Sound
Set against the turmoil of World War I, The History Of Sound is a sweeping love story that unites two gifted performers at the height of their powers. Paul Mescal portrays an idealistic young officer torn between duty and passion, while Josh O’Connor plays a wartime composer whose melodies offer solace amid the chaos. Oliver Hermanus—whose previous work includes Moffie and The Endless River—brings a painterly eye to the film’s battlefields and ballrooms, emphasizing the role of music as both comfort and witness to history.
Raphael Sbarge, whose own career spans film and television roles from the Spider-Man trilogy to Emmy-nominated series like Once Upon a Time, appears in a supporting role that highlights the quieter moments between conflict scenes. “The way Hermanus balances the epic with the intimate is extraordinary,” Sbarge commented in Cannes, noting the director’s trust in his ensemble.
Sbarge’s Cannes Highlights
This year marks Sbarge’s fourth trip to the Croisette, and he has embraced Cannes’s festival spirit. In an earlier post captioned “Cannes 2025. Having a blast.”, he shared snapshots of seaside lunches and sunset strolls. On opening night, he was seen in conversation with fellow attendees at the American Pavilion, where he praised the growing presence of composers on film panels.
Amid media interviews, Sbarge highlighted another project in his festival lineup, the short film Loving Day. He described it as “a beautifully realized short film about an interracial couple on their wedding eve, when the Loving v. Virginia case, legalizing interracial marriage, is overturned.” Produced by xylograph.films, Loving Day premieres this week in the Cinéfondation program, and Sbarge noted its timely exploration of love and civil rights.
Beyond screenings, the actor joined a Q&A hosted by MUBI, the film’s theatrical distributor, to field questions on period authenticity and the importance of soundtrack curation. Guests responded enthusiastically to his insights on balancing historical accuracy with modern storytelling.
As Cannes 2025 continues, Sbarge’s presence underscores his versatility and passion for cinema—from third-generation arthouse tributes to large-scale period epics. With The History Of Sound slated for global release this Fall, audiences will soon witness why this Cannes premiere has been one of the festival’s most talked-about events.
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