The Business SPECIAL PREVIEW: Joachim Trier on 'Sentimental Value'
Jan 14, 2026
Joachim Trier, a renowned film director known for his character-driven narratives, provides fascinating insights into his latest project, 'Sentimental Value.' He discusses his unique decision to cast Stellan Skarsgård, emphasizing the impact of this choice. Trier also explores his love for narrators, detailing how they enhance visual storytelling with playful ambiguity. Additionally, he reflects on the emotional resonance of his family's house sale and its influence on the film's themes of memory.
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Why Skarsgård Was Worth Writing For
- Trier admires Stellan Skarsgård's range and sees him as one of the greatest actors, able to do drama, comedy, and villainy.
- That range and precision justified writing the role specifically for him.
Personal Plea To Cast Stellan Skarsgård
- Joachim Trier flew to Sweden while writing to personally recruit Stellan Skarsgård for the film role.
- Trier says he wrote the part for Skarsgård and the actor made Gustav Borg come alive.
Narration Frees Visual Storytelling
- Trier uses narrators to liberate images and allow the visuals to be freer.
- He prefers ambiguous narrators who may not tell the whole truth to create a dynamic with images.