Trending Now - Mubi Acquires North American Rights to Dhont's 'coward' Film
WHO:
Variety - Mubi, Lukas Dhont, Valentin Campagne, Emmanuel Macchia
IndieWire - Lukas Dhont, Francis, Pierre
WHAT:
Deadline - "Coward" received a 13-minute standing ovation at its world premiere in competition at Cannes.
Deadline - Mubi's release plans for "Coward" will be announced in the future.
Variety - Mubi acquired North American rights to Lukas Dhont’s film “Coward” at the Cannes Film Festival.
Variety - “Coward” received one of the longest standing ovations at the Cannes Film Festival.
IndieWire - “Coward” is described as a queer romantic drama set during World War I.
IndieWire - The film features a storyline about soldiers falling in love amidst the brutality of war.
WHERE:
IndieWire - The film is set on the western front of World War I.
WHEN:
IndieWire - “Coward” premiered at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
WHY:
IndieWire - The film explores themes of love and attraction that are enabled by the context of war.
HOW:
IndieWire - The film features a storyline where Pierre, a soldier newly arrived at the front, is eager to prove himself.
IndieWire - The film depicts soldiers forming a theater troupe to entertain their comrades, which becomes integral to their morale.
IndieWire - Cinematographer Frank van den Eeden captures intimate scenes of first love alongside the chaos of battle.
(UPDATED May 23, 2026 15:18 UTC)
The film "Coward" made a stunning debut at its world premiere in competition at Cannes, receiving an impressive 13-minute standing ovation. The story follows Pierre, a soldier who has just arrived at the front and is eager to prove himself. Mubi is set to announce its release plans for "Coward" in the future.
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(UPDATED May 23, 2026 13:21 UTC)
Mubi has acquired the North American rights to Lukas Dhont’s film “Coward,” which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and received one of the longest standing ovations there. This queer romantic drama, set on the western front of World War I, tells the story of soldiers who fall in love amidst the brutality of war while forming a theater troupe to boost morale. With cinematographer Frank van den Eeden capturing intimate moments of first love against the backdrop of chaos, “Coward” explores profound themes of love and attraction in a time of conflict.