Lukas Dhont Unveils WWI Gay Romance 'Coward' Before Cannes Debut at 34
Updated
Updated · Variety · May 21
Lukas Dhont Unveils WWI Gay Romance 'Coward' Before Cannes Debut at 34
8 articles · Updated · Variety · May 21
“Coward” follows a Belgian soldier who falls for a fellow troop entertainer in World War I trenches, giving Lukas Dhont his widest canvas yet ahead of the film’s Cannes debut.
Black-and-white photos of soldiers staging cross-dressed performances sparked the project, leading Dhont to build a story around theater, intimacy and survival amid battlefield violence.
Dhont said the film challenges narrow ideas of wartime masculinity and heroism, using the title “Coward” to question whether desertion and love can require more courage than combat.
Ukraine and Middle East wars gave the century-old setting present-day resonance, he said, as Europe again debates national service and what people would do when called to fight.
How does a forgotten history of soldier theatricals redefine our understanding of love and courage in wartime?
Will an intimate gay romance in WWI trenches become this year's most powerful anti-war statement?
"Coward" at Cannes 2026: Global Distribution, Queer Representation, and Awards Prospects for Lukas Dhont’s WWI Epic
Overview
Lukas Dhont’s film "Coward" premiered at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival to high anticipation, building on the acclaim of his previous film "Close," which was recognized at Cannes in 2022 and received an Oscar nomination. "Coward" immediately drew significant critical attention, with reviewers praising its powerful emotional impact and its central theme—a queer romance set during World War I. Critics, including Pete Hammond of Deadline, described it as a classic love story, highlighting how its moving narrative resonated with audiences and established "Coward" as a standout film with strong global appeal.