Lukas Dhont's World War I drama Coward earned a 13-minute ovation following its world premiere in competition at the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday. The queer romantic film marks Dhont's third entry in the festival lineup.
The Belgium-born director's latest feature centers on two soldiers, Pierre and Francis, who find connection amid the brutality of war through a theater show. Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne star in the film, which draws inspiration from a historical photograph of a cross-dressed performer entertaining troops behind the front lines.