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Tag: Belgium

  • Belgium Selects Lukas Dhont’s Cannes Prizewinning ‘Coward’ for International Feature Race

    Belgium Selects Lukas Dhont’s Cannes Prizewinning ‘Coward’ for International Feature Race

    Belgium has officially submitted Lukas Dhont’s latest film, Coward, as its entry for the International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 2027. The announcement, made in September 2025, marks the third time the country has selected a Dhont film for Oscar consideration, following Girl (2018) and Close (2022).

    Coward arrives with significant momentum, having won the Best Actor Prize at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, awarded jointly to its leads Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne. The film continues Dhont’s exploration of masculinity and emotional repression, themes that have defined his critically acclaimed career.

    A Three-Peat for Belgium’s Flagship Auteur

    Lukas Dhont has become Belgium’s most-repeated Oscar submission director, a distinction that underscores his status as the country’s preeminent filmmaker on the international stage. His debut, Girl (2018), about a transgender ballet dancer, won the Caméra d’Or at Cannes and was Belgium’s submission that year, though it did not secure a nomination. His sophomore effort, Close (2022), earned the Grand Prix at Cannes and went on to be nominated for the International Feature Oscar. Now, with Coward, he completes a trifecta of Cannes prizewinners and Oscar submissions.

    This consistent selection raises questions about Belgium’s film policy. Some observers might ask whether the national committee favors established auteurs over emerging voices. Yet Dhont’s track record—each film has premiered at Cannes and won a major prize—suggests the choices are merit-based. For comparison, France has repeatedly submitted films by Jacques Audiard, and Denmark has often turned to Thomas Vinterberg, indicating that relying on proven talent is a common strategy among countries seeking Oscar recognition.

    The Shared Acting Prize: A Rare Honor

    The Cannes Best Actor Prize was awarded jointly to Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne, a rare occurrence that highlights Coward‘s dual-lead structure. The film centers on two young male characters navigating themes of fear, identity, and cowardice, though specific plot details remain limited in public reporting. This performance-driven focus could resonate with Academy voters, who historically reward actor showcases. The joint prize also signals that the film’s emotional core rests on the chemistry between its leads—a factor that might be emphasized in the Oscar campaign.

    Thematic Positioning and Cultural Resonance

    If Coward continues Dhont’s exploration of masculinity and emotional repression—as seen in Close, which delved into the friendship between two teenage boys and a subsequent tragedy—it may tap into current conversations about men’s mental health and toxic masculinity. The film’s title itself is provocative, suggesting a confrontational examination of cowardice that could be read politically or personally. Early festival coverage describes a drama that challenges conventional notions of strength and vulnerability.

    This thematic angle could give Coward an edge in a category where films often stand out for their social relevance. However, it remains to be seen how the Academy’s international branch, which has its own distinct tastes, will receive the film.

    Awards Strategy and Early Announcement

    Belgium’s selection was announced in September 2025, relatively early in the awards season. Early announcements can generate momentum and increase festival visibility, a tactic that has worked for other countries. The film’s distributor will need a robust campaign to secure a spot on the shortlist—typically 15 films announced in December—and ultimately a nomination among the five finalists in January.

    While Cannes prizes signal critical acclaim, they do not guarantee Oscar success. Close was nominated; Girl was not. The Academy’s international branch has historically favored films with strong narratives and emotional impact, and Coward will need to stand out in a field of 80–100 country submissions.

    Belgium’s Oscar History

    Belgium has been submitting films to the International Feature category since 1967 and has received seven nominations but has never won. Notable past submissions include The Broken Circle Breakdown (2013) and Bullhead (2011), both nominated. Dhont’s consistent presence in the race positions him as a potential future winner for the country, should Coward or a subsequent film break through.

    As the 99th Academy Awards approach, all eyes will be on Coward and whether it can replicate the success of Close. With its Cannes pedigree, thematic depth, and performance-driven narrative, it has the ingredients to make a strong run—but the path to the Oscar is never straightforward.

    Belgium’s selection of Coward reaffirms Lukas Dhont’s place as a leading voice in European cinema. With a Cannes acting prize and a proven track record, the film enters the International Feature race with strong credentials. Whether it will join Close in the nomination circle remains to be seen, but Dhont’s growing reputation ensures that Coward will be a title to watch.

    Summary

    • Belgium has submitted Lukas Dhont’s Coward for the International Feature Oscar, marking his third submission.
    • Coward won the Best Actor Prize at Cannes 2025, shared by leads Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne.
    • Dhont’s previous submissions: Girl (2018) and Close (2022, nominated).
    • The film continues Dhont’s exploration of masculinity and emotional repression.
    • The 99th Oscars are set for March 2027; the shortlist is expected in December.

    FAQ

    Q: What is Coward about?
    A: Coward is a drama exploring themes of masculinity, fear, and identity, centered on two young male characters. Specific plot details remain limited.

    Q: Has Lukas Dhont been nominated for an Oscar before?
    A: Yes, his film Close was nominated for Best International Feature at the 95th Academy Awards.

    Q: Why is the Cannes Best Actor Prize significant?
    A: It was awarded jointly to both leads, a rare occurrence that highlights the film’s dual-lead structure and performance-driven nature.

    Q: When will the Oscar nominations be announced?
    A: The shortlist (typically 15 films) is usually announced in December, with nominations in January.

    Q: Has Belgium ever won the International Feature Oscar?
    A: No, Belgium has received seven nominations but has never won the category.

  • Edith Cavell: The Nurse Who Defied an Empire and Paid the Ultimate Price

    Edith Cavell: The Nurse Who Defied an Empire and Paid the Ultimate Price

    At 7:00 AM on October 12, 1915, a 49-year-old British nurse named Edith Cavell was led before a German firing squad in Brussels. Her crime: helping roughly 200–300 Allied soldiers, Belgian volunteers, and French civilians escape German-occupied Belgium to the neutral Netherlands. Her last words, spoken to the Anglican chaplain the night before, have echoed through history: “Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.”

    Cavell was not a soldier, nor a spy. She was a matron at a Red Cross hospital, a professional nurse who had dedicated her life to caring for the sick. But when her adopted country fell under occupation, she chose to resist — not with weapons, but with courage, compassion, and a network of guides that ferried stranded men to safety. Her execution turned her into a martyr, a symbol of Allied propaganda, and a lasting question about the rules of war and the limits of humanity.

    From Norfolk to Brussels: The Making of a Nursing Pioneer

    Edith Louisa Cavell was born on December 4, 1865, in the small village of Swardeston, Norfolk, where her father was a vicar. She trained as a nurse at the London Hospital under the formidable Matron Eva Lückes, a demanding mentor who instilled in her a rigorous professional standard. After a stint as a private nurse, Cavell’s career took a decisive turn in 1907 when Dr. Antoine Depage recruited her to become the matron of the newly established Berkendael Medical Institute in Brussels.

    At the time, nursing in Belgium was far behind British standards. Cavell transformed the institute into a secular nursing school, training hundreds of nurses and earning widespread respect in Belgian medical circles. By 1914, she had built a reputation as a skilled administrator and a compassionate caregiver. When Germany invaded neutral Belgium in August 1914, Brussels fell within weeks, and Cavell’s hospital became part of the Red Cross, treating soldiers from both sides. But the occupation brought with it a moral dilemma that Cavell could not ignore.

    Edith Cavell’s execution was a turning point in the First World War, a moment that crystallized the brutality of the conflict and the heroism of those who resisted it. Her story is not just a tale of martyrdom; it is a reminder that courage can take many forms, and that even in the darkest times, individuals can choose to act with compassion. Her legacy endures in the statue in St Martin’s Place, in the postage stamp issued in 2015, and in the quiet pride of a nation that remembers her as one of its greatest. But perhaps her most lasting message is the one she whispered to the chaplain: that patriotism, while noble, is not enough — we must also strive to be human.

    Summary

    • Edith Cavell was a British nurse who helped 200–300 soldiers and civilians escape German-occupied Belgium during WWI.
    • She was arrested, court-martialed, and executed by firing squad on October 12, 1915.
    • Her last words, “Patriotism is not enough,” became a rallying cry for the Allies and a symbol of her Christian forgiveness.
    • Her execution sparked international outrage and was used extensively in Allied propaganda.
    • Her legacy includes a statue in London, recognition as one of the 100 Greatest Britons, and a memorial at Norwich Cathedral.

    FAQ

    Q: How many people did Edith Cavell help escape?
    A: Cavell is estimated to have helped roughly 200–300 Allied soldiers, Belgian volunteers, and French civilians escape to the Netherlands between November 1914 and August 1915.

    Q: What was Edith Cavell’s crime?
    A: She was charged with treason under German military law for assisting enemy soldiers to cross into neutral territory. She confessed to her role, stating she felt it her duty to help those who came to her.

    Q: Why was her execution controversial?
    A: Many believed she was treated unfairly: she was held in solitary confinement, denied legal counsel until the trial, and the proceedings were conducted in German, which she did not speak. The international community saw the execution as a German atrocity, while Germany maintained it was a legal necessity.

    Q: What did Edith Cavell say before she died?
    A: To the Anglican chaplain, Rev. Stirling Gahan, she said: “Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.” The exact wording is debated, but the sentiment of forgiveness has endured.

    Q: Where is Edith Cavell buried?
    A: She was originally buried in Brussels, but after the war her body was exhumed and reinterred at Norwich Cathedral in England, where her grave remains today.