"Sentimental Value" Wins Oscar: "This is Historic for Norwegian Film"
It was a moment none of us will ever forget. When the presenter read out the winner for Best International Feature Film, and the name "The Substance?"—no, "Sentimental Value"—rang out through the Dolby Theatre speakers, the Norwegian crew erupted in a collective cheer that you could probably hear all the way back home in Oslo. What a night! What a ride!
Stellan's voice trembled—and so did the rest of ours
The whole country held its breath as Joachim Trier, dressed in his finest suit, took the stage. Beside him, Renate Reinsve shone like the true movie star she is, and there, with tears welling up in his eyes, stood the legend Stellan Skarsgård. "I had to pinch myself seeing how much this meant to him," said a colleague from the Norwegian film industry I spoke with right after the broadcast. It was no wonder his voice cracked when he thanked his family and the team. This award isn't just a win for the three people on that stage; it's for every single sound technician, makeup artist, and script supervisor who worked through the cold Norwegian winter to make this happen.
Why "Sentimental Value" struck a chord
This isn't just any film. It's a story about love, about artistic freedom, and about the painful yet beautiful experience of being human. Joachim Trier has always had an eye for the imperfect, and with Renate Reinsve leading the way, he's achieved the impossible: making a film that feels intimate and personal, yet speaks to the whole world. The jury in Hollywood praised "its ability to portray relationships with a rare warmth and honesty." That's exactly what we Norwegians recognize, but it clearly resonates just as powerfully in Los Angeles.
What's next: Cannes 2025 and a new era
With the Oscar statuette safely in hand, the entire Norwegian film industry is now setting its sights on the French Riviera. Because this isn't a period; it's a starting gun. There's already talk that the Cannes Film Festival 2025 will be another highlight, perhaps with a prestigious screening or a special tribute to this Norwegian cinematic triumph. I bet they're rewriting their programming schedule tonight, because this sets a whole new standard.
What makes me most proud, as a Norwegian and a film lover, is seeing the world finally discover what we've known for years: Stellan Skarsgård is one of the all-time greats, and Renate Reinsve was born for the screen. We've got confirmation that Norwegian cinema can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the very best.
The biggest moments of the night for Norwegian film
- The statuette: "Sentimental Value" wins ahead of strong competitors from Spain and Germany.
- Reinsve: Her emotional acceptance speech moved the entire audience to tears.
- Trier: The director praises his core team, calling it "a victory for personal filmmaking."
- Historic: This is Norway's first Oscar win in this category in over 20 years.
A long night of celebration awaits the Norwegian team. They deserve every single popping champagne cork. Because tonight, Joachim, Renate, and Stellan aren't just movie stars. They're immortal.