WSA Film Music Days - From Script to Sound: Crafting the Soundtrack to Lukas Dhont's 'Coward'

Coward, the official opening film of Film Fest Gent 2026, follows young soldiers Pierre, who newly arrives at the front in the First World War, and Francis, who decides to lift the spirits of his comrades by putting together a theatre show. Coward has been selected as the Belgian entry for the Oscar for Best International Feature Film, and was awarded the prize for Best Actor in Cannes.

The movie’s soundtrack is unique in its combination of an original score with historical archival music. The original score, composed by Hadjadj, who previously collaborated with Dhont on Girl and Close, plays an essential role in balancing the film’s brutal setting with its delicate emotional core. The songs performed by the actors were actually written and performed by soldiers in the trenches, and were dug up from the archives, coordinated by Dru. By combining these two elements, the soundtrack captures both the fragile beauty of the men's theatrical revues and the overwhelming dread of trench warfare. Accompanied by a selection of film clips, the trio discusses the working process and creative decisions that form the backbone of this unique soundtrack.

This talk is moderated by Laura Bell and presented in collaboration with the UK & European Guild of Music Supervisors. Following the talk, music supervisors are invited for a drink with the Guild in the Film Fest Café.

Accredited visitors can attend this event for free, without prior registration. Other visitors are required to present a ticket.

Language: English