Lukas Dhont's 'Coward' premieres in competition at Cannes 79

Lukas Dhont's new film 'Coward' premiered in competition at the 79th Cannes Film Festival. Set during World War I, the film follows two young soldiers, Pierre and Francis, played by Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne, who are sent to the front. Dhont shifts from his previous contemporary dramas 'Girl' and 'Close' to a historical setting, but retains his focus on fragile bodies and uncertain identities. The narrative emphasizes improvised performances by soldiers—musical numbers, cross-dressing, and small shows—as acts of resistance and survival. Dhont explores the tension between imposed heroic masculinity and the courage to embrace vulnerability. The film critiques the transformation of art into propaganda as war encroaches on spaces of freedom.