Lukas Dhont’s ‘Coward’ Acquired by MUBI After Cannes Premiere

Lukas Dhont’s “Coward,” which is expected to win a prize tonight, has been acquired by MUBI for North American distribution following its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.

The queer WWI drama debuted in competition earlier this week to positive reviews. Release plans for North America have not yet been announced, though it is likely to be released this year to qualify as Belgium’s submission for the international film Oscar.

Set against the backdrop of war, “Coward” follows Pierre, a young soldier arriving at the front eager to prove himself. Behind the battle lines, he meets Francis, who organizes a theatre production to boost morale among the troops. As violence continues around them, the two men search for brief moments of escape and human connection amid the devastation.

I actually haven’t written about the film yet, which stars Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne.

It’s a tender and emotionally restrained wartime drama that stands out less for its originality than for the sensitivity and compassion of its storytelling. There is a familiarity to the story, and yet it works because of its direction, acting, and cinematography.

Both Macchia and Campagne deliver strong, deeply committed performances, and the film’s true standout is the lush period cinematography by Frank van den Eeden. The imagery is filled with vivid, carefully composed colors that give the film a striking texture and beautifully establish its atmosphere.

The film marks Dhont’s second bid for the Palme d’Or, following “Close,” which won the Grand Prix in 2022, and his third Cannes appearance overall after 2018’s “Girl,” which premiered in Un Certain Regard and took home the Camera d’Or. Another accolade may well be in store for Dhont tonight.