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Release and Oscar campaign for Lukas Dhont’s film Coward

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2026-10-21 15:15 UTC → 2026-10-22 15:32 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Lukas Dhont’s war drama, ‘Coward’, has been selected as Belgium’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards. Set in the Belgian trenches during World War I, the film follows a romantic connection between two soldiers. Following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where actors Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne won the Best Actor prize, the film is preparing for an international release. MUBI has announced theatrical release dates including Canada on December 25, 2026, and the UK and Ireland on January 1, 2027. This marks the third time a Dhont film has been submitted by Belgium for Oscar consideration. Recent details regarding the film’s narrative highlight an atypical perspective on the First World War. Rather than focusing on battlefield violence, the film explores the psychological and social experiences of soldiers behind the lines. The story follows Pierre, a conscript whose perspective shifts after meeting Francis, a man tasked with staging theatrical performances to boost morale. Through their transformative connection, Dhont aims to examine themes of identity, intimacy, and masculinity, showcasing a side of the war experience often overlooked in traditional cinema.

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