CFF: Coward

After the heart-wrenching Close, writer-director Lukas Dhont takes us into the trenches of World War I, alongside his protagonist Pierre (Emmanuel Macchia) who would rather be anywhere but the army.

Regimented bodies must know their place and unquestionable discipline reigns in the Belgian forces, but art still exists, in the face of Francis (Valentin Campagne) who directs vaudeville plays to boost the soldiers' morale.

By blurring boundaries between the worlds of restrictions and freedom, Coward affirms that our concept of masculinity is frail, even when ossified.

The Cambridge Film Festival is presented by the Cambridge Film Trust, a registered charity widening access to cinema and supporting emerging talent through film, education and community programmes.