Coward
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Thu 22 Oct
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Fri 23 Oct
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Sat 24 Oct
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Sun 25 Oct
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Mon 26 Oct
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Tue 27 Oct
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Wed 28 Oct
Amidst muddy trenches, where vulnerability seems to have no place, Francis opens up an unexpected space of imagination, freedom, and tenderness for Pierre. Behind the scenes, the men find each other more and more often, and their shared moments take on increasing meaning. Something emerges that war seems unable to destroy: moments of freedom and an unexpected love.
Coward is a moving and powerful war and love drama about courage and fear, masculinity and the power of art, desire, and connection. The film by acclaimed director Lukas Dhont had its world premiere in the main competition at Cannes, where lead actors Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne shared the Best Actor award. It was Macchia's feature film debut; Dhont cast him at a landscape architecture school. Coward is the official Belgian entry for the 2027 Oscars. Lukas Dhont drew inspiration from historical WWI photos of young soldiers putting on a show for each other just behind the front lines, often dressed in women's clothing.
Ultrakort
Accompanying this film is the short film Insha Allah. Animator and director Souffien Melad takes you into a story about the Islamic faith and the myriad interesting and creative ways in which Muslims in the Netherlands—and across the globe—engage with religious texts.
This film is part of Ultrakort, a competition and grant initiative by the Netherlands Film Fund. It offers both emerging and experienced animators the opportunity to create a short film for a broad and diverse audience.
- Direction
- Lukas Dhont
- Duration
- 127 min
- RELEASE
- Thu 22 Oct
- Year
- 2026
- Country
- Belgium, France, The Netherlands
Make it a full night out
At Natlab, you don’t just come for the film. You come for the whole evening. Start with good food in our café-restaurant, then head into the screening room, and stick around afterwards for a drink.
Our kitchen works with fresh, seasonal ingredients and a menu that moves with the moment. Lunch, dinner or drinks: join us whenever it suits you.
Come early. Stay late. Make a night of it.