A 13-minute standing ovation greeted Lukas Dhont's "Coward" at its world premiere in competition at the Cannes Film Festival.
The 120-minute queer romantic drama set during World War I screened on May 21, 2026, at the Grand Théâtre Lumière. Emmanuel Macchia makes his acting debut alongside Valentin Campagne. Dhont wrote the script with Angelo Tijssens.
This is Dhont's second film to compete at Cannes. His previous entry "Close" screened in 2022. MUBI acquired distribution rights in multiple territories prior to the festival.
Director Lukas Dhont addressed the audience after the prolonged applause. Following the crowd’s reception, he told the crowd at the Grand Théâtre Lumière that all should share love, not war, according to reports.
He also discussed the film's title during the post-screening remarks.
The strong audience response at the Grand Théâtre Lumière highlighted immediate engagement with the material. Reports from Deadline confirmed the exact duration of the ovation following the screening.
Official details from the Festival de Cannes listed the film in competition with its precise runtime of 120 minutes. Additional coverage included shorts and interviews available on YouTube documenting the event and Dhont's appearance at the Cannes Studio.
