After nabbing a somewhat surprise and unexpected nomination for the Best Original Screenplay at the 94th Academy Awards and Best International Feature for his romantic comedy drama, “The Worst Person in the World” which introduced most of the world to Renate Reinsve—who won the Best Actress prize at Cannes— Norwegian/Danish filmmaker Joachim Trier returns to the Croisette again with his latest, “Sentimental Value.”
Starring Reinsve again, and including American and international stars like Stellan Skarsgård, Elle Fanning, Cory Michael Smith, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and co-written with his longtime screenwriting collaborator Eskil Vogt, “Sentimental Value” is an intimate comedy drama about family, memories, and the reconciliatory power of art.
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Playing in competition at the Cannes Film Festival this year, although reviews aren’t out yet—later today or soon—Trier’s film is expected to be a top contender for the coveted Palme d’Or prize.
“Things are very polarized and very aggressive right now, and I completely respect people who want to use art now as a way of yelling out their anger and their opinions. I get it,” Trier said in a recent Vanity Fair article. “But at the same time, you could also look inward at what we are trying to protect in a world that’s getting quite brutal. There’s something about tenderness that’s just very humane, that we need to express.”
“Everyone used to watch ‘Kramer Vs. Kramer’ weeping, like, ‘Oh, it’s about our time.’ I’m free to get final cut, to make a film on a certain budget, to shoot on 35mm and all that stuff—so it feels natural to take that space and try to do something with it,” he said of working in the tradition of sincere American cinema of the 1970s.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Sisters Nora and Agnes reunite with their estranged father, the charismatic Gustav, a once-renowned director who offers stage actress Nora a role in what he hopes will be his comeback film. When Nora turns it down, she soon discovers he has given her part to an eager young Hollywood star. Suddenly, the two sisters must navigate their complicated relationship with their father — and deal with an American star dropped right into the middle of their complex family dynamics.
While MUBI has some international rights to the film, including the U.K., Neon has acquired North American rights, will be releasing the film later this year, and no doubt will be chasing the Oscars during the awards season. On the eve of its Cannes premiere, Neon has released the first look at the clip. Watch the teaser below.
