Belgium Picks Dhont's WWI Drama 'Coward' for Oscar Bid
Belgium has submitted Lukas Dhont's 'Coward' as its candidate for the Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards. The film, co-written by Dhont and Angelo Tijssens, is set during World War I and follows a young soldier who finds solace in a theater production amid the horrors of the front. The selection was announced ahead of the awards season.
Belgium’s Oscar selection process typically favors films with strong festival pedigree or critical acclaim, and Dhont’s previous works—such as *Close* and *Girl*—have earned international recognition, including Cannes prizes. *Coward* marks a historical shift for the director, moving from contemporary coming-of-age dramas to a period war setting, while retaining his focus on emotional vulnerability and male intimacy. The film’s co-writer Angelo Tijssens has collaborated with Dhont before, suggesting a consistent creative partnership. As the 99th Academy Awards approach, the submission places *Coward* among a competitive field of international entries, though its theatrical release and awards-season visibility remain limited at this stage.
This selection may bolster the film’s global profile, drawing attention from distributors and festival programmers ahead of the Oscars. For audiences, *Coward* could reframe familiar WWI narratives through a theatrical, humanist lens, potentially resonating with viewers seeking stories about art’s role in wartime. The choice also signals Belgium’s continued investment in auteur-driven cinema, which may influence how international critics and industry professionals perceive the country’s film output. However, its impact depends on the film’s eventual awards run and whether it reaches broader audiences beyond the festival circuit.