Coward

Best Actor, Cannes 2026

Original language: French, Dutch

Subtitles: Romanian, English

Directed by: Lukas Dhont

Country: Belgium, France, Netherlands

Year of production: 2026

Length: 120 minutes

Genre: Historical Drama, Romance

As the First World War drags on, Pierre, a soldier newly arrived at the front, is eager to prove himself. Behind the lines, he meets Francis, who decides to lift the spirits of his comrades by putting together a theatre show. While the violence continues, both men try to find ways to escape the brutality of war, even if only for a moment.

Credits

Lukas Dhont – Director

Lukas Dhont, Angelo Tijssens – Script

Casting

Emmanuel Macchia

Valentin Campagne

Jonas Wertz

Jef Jacobs