Over the last few years, NEON has established itself as a major player during awards season, and this year is no different. It might have the frontrunner for Best Picture coming next week with Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, which has been earning critical acclaim and award throughout its festival run. It absolutely floored me at TIFF last month, and I can’t wait for people to experience this tense, surprisingly funny family film that explores the clash between familial connection and creative genius.
Boasting powerful performances by Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Elle Fanning, and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Sentimental Value centers on an aging filmmaker looking for one final magnum opus and a shot at redemption with his two daughters. He offers one a role in his deeply personal film, but when she refuses, he instead turns to a popular American actress for the role, causing a greater rift in the family.
The film is co-written by Trier and Eskil Vogt.
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.
NEON will release Sentimental Value into theaters on November 7th.
