Joachim Trier said “tenderness is the new punk”, when discussing his Cannes Competition title Sentimental Value at the film’s press conference today.
Trier’s sixth feature is described in its Cannes synopsis as “an exploration of family, memories and the power of art.” It stars Trier regular Renate Reinsve as a successful Oslo actress estranged from her filmmaker father, played by Stellan Skarsgard. When she declines a part in his personal next film, he offers it to an eager American starlet, played by Elle Fanning.
“[Tenderness] is what I need right now,” said Trier. “I need to believe that we can see the other, that there is a sense of reconciliation. Polarisation, anger and machismo aren’t the way forward.”
Trier was discussing the topic in the context of Mascha Schilinski’s fellow Competition entry Sound of Falling, which he stated he has not seen, but which, like Sentimental Value, concerns the effect of trauma on women living in one house.
“Men live in houses too, and we feel things – all people do,” said Trier, in response to the question about a gender connection between the two films. “Marguerite Duras said that often the male narrative that’s popularised by Western culture about action is a myth. If you put a man in a house, he seems to be in despair; if you put a woman in a house, it seems like domestic bliss
“Culture has moved past that, I’m happy to say. I’m very inspired by Duras, Celine Sciamma, Mia Hansen-Love – people who make tender and beautiful and close things, regardless of what gender they are.”
Trier has worked with writer-director Eskil Vogt on all of his films, with the duo having co-written Sentimental Value.
“We come from a punk background, Eskil and I. We were counter-culture, we didn’t want to make soppy movies. But we realised through the films we’ve made that we’ve grown older and that world is a place where we can be vulnerable.”
Joachim Trier summer
Fanning was wearing a t-shirt with the slogan ‘Joachim Trier summer’, a reference to Charli XCX’s set at Coachella music festival last month, when the singer displayed names of several arthouse filmmakers behind her on stage including Trier’s.
”I’ve been working so much that I don’t even know what a ‘Joachim Trier summer’ is anymore,” laughed the director. “But I’ll try to have one.”
“Only American on the team – but I was so welcomed,” said Fanning. “You can feel that tight-knit bond, everyone was so kind.”
The actress has been working in film since she was two years old, with credits including 2006’s Babel and 2008’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. “As I’ve gotten older, the world opens up and you’re offered more roles,” said Fanning. “I’ve definitely read scripts where I thought ‘I’m just not right for her’, or not ready yet for that. I’m very instinctual, I go by my gut.”
Reinsve and Anders Danielsen Lie have both worked with Trier on several previous titles, including Cannes 2021 Competition entry The Worst Person In The World.
“My job as a director is to create a sense of – ownership is the wrong word, but a sense of taking charge of the character,” said Trier of his long partnership with the actors. “I need a process with actors, I need time.
“When we’ve had long collaborations, we’re able to talk a lot; then when we actually shoot, I don’t bother [the actors] too much I hope. I think [Reinsve and Danielsen Lie] are amazing at finding ways and trying to explore things yourself and in the scene.”
“It’s what I’m most proud of as a director, is the cast in this film.”
Sentimental Value had its world premiere last night in Cannes. The film was produced by Maria Ekerhovd for Mer Film and Andrea Berentsen Ottmar for Eye Eye Pictures, both from Norway, in co-production with Denmark’s Zentropa. It was backed by BBC Film, which boarded the project via the producers and sales agent mk2 Films in 2023; as well as by Film i Vast and Arte France Cinema.
Neon acquired US rights prior to Cannes, with Mubi to release in territories including UK-Ireland.
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