Coward Special Presentations
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About
With the First World War raging, Pierre (Emmanuel Macchia) leaves his family farm for the frontlines to serve the Belgian cause. In the trenches, he meets Francis (Valentin Campagne), a magnetic figure who stages theatre productions that offer their brothers-in-arms a measure of escape. Feeling an immediate kinship with the troupe, Pierre also develops an explosive chemistry with Francis. As their relationship blossoms, they are called to demonstrate the bravery required to pursue sexual self-actualization.
Following his Oscar-nominated Close, Lukas Dhont works on a much grander canvas while ensuring that the film’s most devastating moments remain rooted in the intimate encounters between Macchia and Campagne (who shared the Cannes award for Best Performance by an Actor). Set amidst the brutal toll of combat, Coward is a poignant reminder that transformative moments of tenderness can occur even under the darkest circumstances.
Best Performance for an Actor, Cannes 2026
Following his Oscar-nominated Close, Lukas Dhont works on a much grander canvas while ensuring that the film’s most devastating moments remain rooted in the intimate encounters between Macchia and Campagne (who shared the Cannes award for Best Performance by an Actor). Set amidst the brutal toll of combat, Coward is a poignant reminder that transformative moments of tenderness can occur even under the darkest circumstances.
Best Performance for an Actor, Cannes 2026
