The Business ‘Sentimental Value’ director Joachim Trier is begging Netflix to embrace movie theaters
Jan 16, 2026
Writer-director Joachim Trier, known for his Cannes-winning films, shares insights on his latest project, Sentimental Value. He discusses the unique European financing model that allows for creative freedom and longer shoots. Trier reveals how he convinced Stellan Skarsgård to join the cast, breaking his own rules to secure talent. He playfully critiques a streaming giant’s reluctance to support theaters, highlighting the film's personal themes of family and reconciliation. This conversation is a deep dive into the art and industry of filmmaking.
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How A TV Game Show Sparked A Partnership
- Joachim Trier and Eskil Vogt met as teens working behind cameras on a Norwegian TV game show.
- Their shared passion for movies led them to a decades-long writing partnership.
Package Funding To Keep Creative Control
- Build financing from many smaller sources so no single backer controls final cut.
- Use European-style co-financing to secure long shoots, final cut, and investor returns.
Long Shoots Buy Creative Freedom
- Spending more on prep and long shooting schedules yields efficiency and creative freedom on set.
- Lower above-the-line pay in this model lets mid-budget films afford 60+ day shoots and final cut.
