With the First World War raging, Pierre (Emmanuel Macchia) leaves his family farm for the frontlines to serve the Belgian cause. In the trenches, he meets Francis (Valentin Campagne), a magnetic figure who stages theatre productions that offer their brothers-in-arms a measure of escape. Feeling an immediate kinship with the troupe, Pierre also develops an explosive chemistry with Francis. As their relationship blossoms, they are called to demonstrate the bravery required to pursue sexual self-actualization.
Following his Oscar-nominated Close, Lukas Dhont works on a much grander canvas while ensuring that the film’s most devastating moments remain rooted in the intimate encounters between Macchia and Campagne (who shared the Cannes award for Best Performance by an Actor). Set amidst the brutal toll of combat, Coward is a poignant reminder that transformative moments of tenderness can occur even under the darkest circumstances.
Best Performance for an Actor, Cannes 2026; Oscars submission: Belgium
Emmanuel Macchia, Valentin Campagne, Jonas Wertz
Belgium/France/Netherlands
2026
In French and Dutch with English subtitles
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Credits & Director
Producer
Michiel Dhont, Juliette Schrameck
Screenwriter
Lukas Dhont, Angelo Tijssens
Cinematography
Frank van den Eeden
Editor
Alain Dessauvage
Production Design
Eve Martin
Original Music
Valentin Hadjadj
Lukas Dhont
Lukas Dhont’s debut film, Girl (2018), screened in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, where it was awarded the Caméra d’Or. His second film, Close (2022), was selected for the official competition and won the Grand Prix, going on to receive a 2023 Academy Award nomination for Best International Feature Film. Dhont’s third film, Coward (2026), had its world premiere at the 79th Cannes International Film Festival, where its two leads were jointly awarded Best Male Actor.
Filmography: Girl (2018); Close (2022)
Photo by Thomas Nolf
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