Acclaimed filmmaker Joachim Trier has returned to the Cannes Film Festival with Sentimental Value, a deeply personal and emotionally resonant film that explores themes of reconciliation and family. Co-written with long-time collaborator Eskil Vogt, the Norwegian director’s latest work has quickly gained critical attention, particularly after its premiere was met with a 15-minute standing ovation.
The film brings Trier back together with Renate Reinsve, star of his widely celebrated The Worst Person in the World. Reinsve plays Nora, who is approached by her estranged father Borg, a Swedish filmmaker, as he attempts to stage a cinematic comeback. Borg hopes Nora will star in his new film, but when she declines, he turns to Rachel Kemp, a rising Hollywood actress played by Elle Fanning. Rachel’s arrival in Oslo disrupts the fragile family dynamic, placing her at the center of both artistic and emotional tensions.
Trier, now a father of two, shared how his evolving personal life influenced the narrative. “Since the last time I wrote a film, I’ve had two children, so I’m asking more questions about transference, about what goes unsaid in families,” he said. The film contemplates the emotional complexities of familial relationships, especially the weight of unresolved issues and the fleeting nature of time shared with loved ones. “This melancholy about the limits of our time together—how do we accept that and move forward?”
For Reinsve, returning to work with Trier was a meaningful experience. She noted the expectations following her breakout role in The Worst Person in the World were high, but the reception to Sentimental Value reassured her. “That film changed my life, and it gave me the confidence to be honest and vulnerable. I tried to bring that same openness to Nora.”
Elle Fanning emphasized the importance of the film’s emotional tone. “It’s cool to be sensitive and soft. That’s not weakness, and it shouldn’t ever be out of style,” said the Emmy-nominated actor, praising Trier’s ability to bring tenderness to the screen.
Stellan Skarsgård, who plays the conflicted Borg, reflected on the real-life parallels of his character’s struggle to balance family with a demanding career. “As an actor, you often have to surrender to the project. You can’t just go home when it gets hard—and that can be tough when you have kids. I know. I have eight.”
READ MORE: