NORWEGIAN FAMILY DRAMA SENTIMENTAL VALUE WINS OSCAR FOR BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE.) PHOTO).

 Norwegian family drama Sentimental Value wins Oscar for best international feature

 “Sentimental Value,” a poignant Norwegian family drama exploring the strained relationships between a father and his daughters, won the Oscar for best international feature on Sunday.

Directed by Joachim Trier, the film follows a father who has long prioritized his career over family and now seeks to reconnect with his estranged daughters—using a new movie as the vehicle for reconciliation. When his eldest daughter immediately refuses to star in his project, an eager American actor steps into the role. Trier uses minimal dialogue and sparse shared scenes to depict the emotional distance and grief within the family, building to a powerful moment of catharsis at the film’s conclusion.

“This film is about a very dysfunctional family,” Trier said in his acceptance speech. “And it’s the opposite of what I felt with this beautiful group behind me.”

“Sentimental Value” received nine nominations at the 98th Academy Awards, including best picture, best director, and best original screenplay, marking Norway’s first win in the international feature category. Trier referenced civil rights activist James Baldwin, quoting, “All adults are responsible for all children,” and urged audiences to consider this responsibility in voting decisions.

Speaking backstage, Trier highlighted the plight of children affected by conflicts around the world, citing those in Palestine, Ukraine, and Sudan, and reflected on his own family history—his grandfather had been imprisoned as a resistance fighter during World War II. While emphasizing that he is an artist, not a politician, Trier encouraged greater collaboration across divides to protect children.

Stellan Skarsgård, who portrays the father Gustav in the film, was nominated for best supporting actor, while Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas and Elle Fanning earned supporting actress nominations. Trier noted that “Sentimental Value” has become the most-watched Norwegian film globally, drawing audiences around the world.

Trier, a Danish-Norwegian filmmaker, is also known for “The Worst Person in the World,” a previous Oscar nominee for best original screenplay in 2022 that explored themes of art, identity, and personal relationships.

Other nominees for best international feature included Brazil’s “The Secret Agent,” Spain’s “Sirāt,” Tunisia’s “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” and France’s submission “It Was Just An Accident,” directed by an Iranian filmmaker.