CANNES — Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value received a rapturous 15-minute standing ovation at its Cannes premiere Wednesday night, marking the longest applause of the festival so far and positioning the film as a potential Palme d’Or frontrunner.
The screening, which concluded well after 1 a.m., saw emotional reactions from the cast and audience alike. Elle Fanning, who plays a Hollywood star in the film, wiped away tears and embraced Trier as the crowd erupted in cheers. Her co-star Stellan Skarsgård blew a kiss to the audience, visibly moved by the response.
Trier, known for The Worst Person in the World, was also visibly emotional during his post-screening remarks. “I’m very moved,” he told the crowd, reflecting on the film’s long journey to completion. “What’s that Buñuel quote? ‘I make films for my friends’? I feel you’re all my friends tonight.”
The overwhelming reception surpassed the previous high of 11.5 minutes of applause received by Julia Ducournau’s Alpha, making Sentimental Value the most celebrated premiere of this year’s festival so far.
At its core, Sentimental Value is a family drama, but Trier infuses the story with sharp, self-aware humor about the film industry. One scene features a nod to streaming culture, as a fictional film is acquired by Netflix, leading to an awkward press junket. When a journalist reminds Fanning’s character of a past box office failure, Skarsgård’s character bluntly replies, “Get out.”
The plot follows sisters Nora and Agnes as they reconnect with their estranged father, Gustav — a once-famous director hoping to stage a comeback. He offers Nora, a stage actress, the lead role in his new film. When she declines, he gives the part to a young American star, triggering tensions as the sisters navigate their strained relationship with their father and the sudden presence of an outsider in their lives.
The film stars Renate Reinsve, reuniting with Trier after her award-winning turn in The Worst Person in the World. The ensemble also includes Cory Michael Smith and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas. Trier co-wrote the screenplay with longtime collaborator Eskil Vogt.
Trier is a Cannes regular. His 2011 film Oslo, August 31st premiered in the Un Certain Regard section. He competed for the Palme d’Or with Louder Than Bombs in 2015 and again in 2021 with The Worst Person in the World, which won Best Actress for Reinsve and received two Academy Award nominations.
With such an overwhelming debut, Sentimental Value is now firmly in the spotlight as the race for this year’s top prize intensifies.
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