Sentimental Value

Synopsis

Joachim Trier’s sixth film Sentimental Value is an intimate and moving exploration of family memories, and the reconciliatory power of art.

The film follows actress Nora (Renate Reinsve) and her sister Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) as their estranged father Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård) suddenly reappears after many years. Once a renowned film director, Gustav offers Nora the lead role in his new film—but working with her father is the last thing she wants.

American actress Elle Fanning also appears in Sentimental Value. In 2022, Renate Reinsve won Best Actress at Cannes for her role in The Worst Person in the World.

“This is an intimate film about a family, and I hope people can see themselves in it. It’s an incredible joy to be back at Cannes. I’m especially proud of the cast’s performances and look forward to audiences experiencing them. I’ve closely followed the films selected for Cannes over the years, and it’s an honor to show one there myself,” says Joachim Trier.

Production facts

Sentimental Value marks Joachim Trier’s third film nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes. His previous film, The Worst Person in the World, was nominated for both a Palme d’Or and two Oscars. Sentimental Value is produced by Mer Film and Eye Eye Pictures, in co-production with Zentropa Sweden and Film i Väst. It was partially shot in Strömstad, with VP Nordic providing virtual production services.

The screenplay was written by Trier and longtime collaborator Eskil Vogt. The pair have worked together on all of Trier’s previous features: The Worst Person in the World (2021), Thelma (2017), Louder Than Bombs (2015), Oslo, August 31st (2011), and Reprise (2006). (*All co-produced with Film i Väst.)

The film is produced by Maria Ekerhovd (Mer Film) and Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (Eye Eye Pictures), in co-production with Film i Väst, Zentropa (Sisse Graum Jørgensen), Zentropa Sweden (Lizette Jonjic), MK Productions (Nathanael Karmitz), Lumen Production (Juliette Schrameck), Komplizen Film (Janine Jackowski, Jonas Dornbach), with support from the Norwegian Film Institute, Oslo Film Fund, Storyline, the Swedish Film Institute, Danish Film Institute, Eurimages, Medienboard Berlin Brandenburg, FFA, BBC Film (Eva Yates), Arte Grand Accord, the Normandy Regional Fund, CNC (France), and the Nordic Film & TV Fund. International Sales: Mk2. US Distribution: Neon. Nordic Distribution: Nordisk Film.