Queer Cinema preview: Coward + Insha Allah
On the Belgian front during the First World War, Pierre struggles to find his place among the other soldiers. Behind the lines, he meets the charismatic Francis, who performs improvised theatre with a group of rejected soldiers to keep the troops’ spirits up. Amid the muddy trenches, where vulnerability seems to have no place, Francis offers Pierre an unexpected space for imagination, freedom and tenderness. Away from the others, the two men increasingly seek each other out, and their shared moments begin to take on a deeper meaning. Something begins to grow between them that the war cannot destroy: moments of freedom and an unexpected love.
Coward is a moving and powerful war and love story about courage and fear, masculinity and the power of art, desire and connection. The latest film by acclaimed director Lukas Dhont (Girl, Close) premiered in competition at Cannes, where its lead actors Emmanuel Macchia (Pierre) and Valentin Campagne (Francis) jointly received the award for Best Actor. Coward is Belgium’s official submission for the 2027 Academy Awards. Dhont was inspired by historical photographs from the First World War showing young soldiers putting on performances for one another just behind the front lines, often dressed in women’s clothing.
Ultrashort: Insha Allah – Souffien Melad
During evening prayers, eight-year-old Samir makes eye contact with his neighbour Tommie. At first, he is hesitant, but in his imagination, a vibrant world unfolds where culture, love and faith come together.
- 19:00
Kies tijdstip
- filmspecial
On the Belgian front during the First World War, Pierre struggles to find his place among the other soldiers. Behind the lines, he meets the charismatic Francis, who performs improvised theatre with a group of rejected soldiers to keep the troops’ spirits up. Amid the muddy trenches, where vulnerability seems to have no place, Francis offers Pierre an unexpected space for imagination, freedom and tenderness. Away from the others, the two men increasingly seek each other out, and their shared moments begin to take on a deeper meaning. Something begins to grow between them that the war cannot destroy: moments of freedom and an unexpected love.
Coward is a moving and powerful war and love story about courage and fear, masculinity and the power of art, desire and connection. The latest film by acclaimed director Lukas Dhont (Girl, Close) premiered in competition at Cannes, where its lead actors Emmanuel Macchia (Pierre) and Valentin Campagne (Francis) jointly received the award for Best Actor. Coward is Belgium’s official submission for the 2027 Academy Awards. Dhont was inspired by historical photographs from the First World War showing young soldiers putting on performances for one another just behind the front lines, often dressed in women’s clothing.
Ultrashort: Insha Allah – Souffien Melad
During evening prayers, eight-year-old Samir makes eye contact with his neighbour Tommie. At first, he is hesitant, but in his imagination, a vibrant world unfolds where culture, love and faith come together.
