We spoke to Joachim Trier, director of "I Am the Worst," about his new masterpiece, "Sentimental Value."

You could say that "home" is another main character in this film.

Interviewed by: Joachim Trier (film director)

Sentimental Value is Trier's sixth feature film, but while his previous film, I Am the Worst, his feature film debut, Reprise, and his second film, Oslo, 31 August, are collectively known as the "Oslo Trilogy," why was this film, set in Oslo as well, excluded from the trilogy?

"The films I consider to be part of the Oslo Trilogy are about young people in their twenties searching for themselves. In contrast, this film is a family story involving people of different ages. I differentiated them in that they depict unspoken but handed-down sorrows within the family from the perspectives of various people."

Nora (Renate Reinsve), a successful stage actress, and Agnes (Inga Ebsdottir Lilleos), who lives with her husband and son, are suddenly visited by their father, Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård), a film director who abandoned them and has not been heard from since.

He wants Nora to star in his new film, which will be his comeback. Nora rejects the offer, but is shocked to learn that the role will be played by popular young American actress Rachel (Elle Fanning) and that the filming will take place at their parents' house.

"The script started from something personal to me. Of course, it's not about me, but my grandfather was a film director and I'm familiar with families with artists. Memories are always associated with places.

In this film, we are constantly watching not only the sisters but also the house where their father grew up, and the sad memories that his ancestors carried with them. Indeed, it could be said that the "house" is another main character in this film."

Trier's films are always captivating due to the music he selects himself as a DJ, and this one opens with "Dancing Girl" by Terry Carrier, a song known only to a few.

"Actually, last June I was traveling to Tokyo and Kyoto with my wife, who is an architect, and we happened to hear that song playing on a record in a bar. Norwegian subculture has something in common with Japan's maniacal record culture, and even though Norway is on the fringes of Europe, there are people there who voraciously seek out music from all over the world. I was one of them. When I was younger, I listened to Pizzicato Five as well."

He also says that there are other Japanese influences in this film: "I was also inspired by Japanese films, such as Yasujiro Ozu, especially in 'Late Spring.' Ozu has those interesting cutaway shots, where one character looks into the camera and listens intently to what the other person is saying.

In this film, Agnes, the younger sister, is a truly Ozu-esque presence. Though she doesn't say much, she conveys the heart and soul of this film. She is the character I put the most feelings into, and it's also my humble homage to Japanese cinema."