Mubi has bought the rights to Belgian filmmaker Lukas Dhont’s latest feature, Coward, in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. 

Coward is Dhont’s first film since 2022’s Close, which was nominated for the Best International Feature Film Oscar. Mubi also distributed Close. Coward will debut in Competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and stars Emmanuel Macchia in his debut film performance and Valentin Campagne (Colours of Time). 

The official synopsis reads: “As the First World War drags on, Pierre, a soldier newly arrived at the front, is eager to prove himself. Behind the lines, he meets Francis, who decides to lift the spirits of his comrades by putting together a theatre show. While the violence continues, both men try to find ways to escape the brutality of war, even if only for a moment.”

Coward is a Reunion, Lumen, Topkapi Films & Versus (Opus) production in co-production with France 2 Cinéma, VTM, RTBF, Proximus, BeTV & Orange. The film was produced in association with The Common Humanity Art Trust and Portobello Productions. 

The film will be distributed in Benelux by Lumière and in France by Diaphana Distribution.

Yesterday, Mubi also announced that it has acquired Na Hong-Jin’s latest feature, Hope in Latin America, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Turkey. Hope will also debut in Competition at Cannes.