Lukas Dhont’s ‘Coward’ Offers WWI Gay Romance
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- Coward is Lukas Dhont’s third feature film, set on the Belgian front of World War I and focusing on a gay romance between two soldiers.
- Valentin Campagne stars as Francis, a flamboyant soldier who leads a drag theater troupe to boost morale.
- Emmanuel Macchia plays Pierre, a withdrawn soldier who wounds himself with a bayonet to secure secret nights with Francis.
- Close won the Cannes Film Festival award and is Dhont’s previous drama about homophobia‑induced adolescent suicide.
- Girl sparked controversy for its graphic depiction of self‑harm in a trans‑gender narrative.
Why it matters: The film gives younger LGBTQ viewers a fresh WWI love story while showcasing Dhont’s move toward lighter, hopeful queer storytelling, expanding his audience and redefining his cinematic legacy.
