Lukas Dhont Debuts Queer WWI Film 'Coward' at Cannes
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- Lukas Dhont was inspired to create "Coward" after seeing WWI photos of soldiers staging cross‑dressed performances for their comrades.
- Coward follows Belgian soldier Pierre (Emmanuel Macchia) and his lover Francis (Valentin Campagne) as they stage gender‑bending theater amid trench warfare, debuting at Cannes.
- Lukas Dhont says the film was his most challenging project, balancing large‑scale war production with the intimate romance of his previous work.
- Coward’s title examines the thin line between heroism and cowardice, linking historic WWI trauma to current debates on national service and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
- Lukas Dhont previously earned acclaim for the trans‑girl ballet drama "Girl" and the teen‑friendship film "Close," both Oscar‑nominated.
Why it matters: The film gives LGBTQ audiences a rare WWI narrative, while challenging traditional war film tropes, potentially shifting Cannes' cultural relevance and sparking debate on masculinity amid ongoing conflicts.
