Brief
Lukas Dhont and Valentin Hadjadj discuss ‘Coward’ score at World Soundtrack Awards
The director-composer duo explained how visual sketches and early‑stage music shape the film’s war‑time sound.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Lukas Dhont and composer Valentin Hadjadj spoke to Variety during the World Soundtrack Awards’ Film Music Days, outlining their partnership on the upcoming World War I drama “Coward.”
What happened
At the World Soundtrack Awards, the duo highlighted how their long‑standing collaboration began as students and now relies on early script readings and visual communication. Dhont said he often draws scene intentions, which Hadjadj translates into music.
What the reports add
Hadjadj emphasized that working before filming opens “the field of musical possibilities,” allowing a more open imagination than scoring after the edit. Dhont described the film’s violent scenes as needing a score that evokes “the screams of many men,” blending archival war songs with a contemporary pop‑textured approach rather than traditional orchestral music.
What was said
“Valentin reads the script very early and makes music that resonates with its tonality,” Dhont told Variety.
“Working before the shoot opens up the field of musical possibilities,” Hadjadj explained.
“The easy path would have been broad, sweeping, martial, orchestral music. Instead, we took a more pop approach,” Hadjadj added.
How it came about
The World Soundtrack Awards’ Film Music Days aim to pair directors with composers for live performances and industry mixers, fostering creative matches like Dhont‑Hadjadj and Edward Berger‑Volker Bertelmann, who also discussed their work on “The Riders.”
Key facts
- Lukas Dhont and Valentin Hadjadj discussed their collaboration on the film “Coward” at the World Soundtrack Awards. (variety.com)
- Dhont uses visual sketches to communicate scene intentions to Hadjadj. (variety.com)
- Hadjadj prefers to work on a film’s music before shooting begins. (variety.com)
- The duo chose a pop‑textured approach over traditional orchestral scoring for the war drama. (variety.com)
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “Lukas Dhont, Valentin Hadjadj Discuss ‘Coward’ Score, and Edward Berger, Volker Bertelmann Talk About Music for ‘The Riders,’ Starring Brad Pitt”
