On Location peels back the curtain on some of your favorite films, television shows, and more. This time, we take a look at Sentimental Value, director Joachim Trier’s poignant family drama that has not only captivated critics but also secured an impressive nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, making it a significant contender in this year’s awards season. Oslo, Norway’s vibrant capital and most populous city, might not immediately spring to mind as a global cinematic hotspot. Yet, under the masterful eye of Norwegian director Joachim Trier, this understated Scandinavian gem is rapidly cementing its status as a compelling backdrop for profound human stories. Trier’s signature "slice-of-life" cinema—exemplified by early indie hits like Reprise, Oslo, August 31st, and the internationally acclaimed The Worst Person in the World—has consistently woven the daily rhythms and melancholic beauty of Oslo into the very fabric of his narratives. His latest offering, Sentimental Value, continues this tradition, presenting a wistful yet deeply affecting portrait of the city as a silent, yet ever-present, character. Trier’s films are not just set in Oslo; they are about Oslo, exploring the city’s parks, bustling bookstores, and intimate social gatherings as stages for ordinary people navigating the complexities of life. This immersive approach leaves audiences swooning for a life within its bounds, embracing both the inherent melancholy and unexpected joys it might contain. Sentimental Value is no exception, depicting Oslo with the same intimate understanding and evocative visual poetry that has become Trier’s hallmark. When queried about his enduring fascination with Oslo, Trier shared with Condé Nast Traveler, “Yes, you want me to talk about the city that, when I grew up in it, no one cared about. And slowly, it’s become bigger, and I’m grateful if I in any way contributed to showing its nicer aspects, which I think happens automatically when you create human stories that people identify with and put characters in these places where you’ve had your own emotional experiences. It’s a big and small city at the same time—not as elegant as Stockholm, or as culturally vibrant as Copenhagen. Oslo is more discreet.” This observation perfectly encapsulates the city’s allure in his films: a quiet intensity that allows the human drama to unfold without being overshadowed, yet undeniably shaped by its surroundings. Trier elaborated on Oslo’s unique graces, painting a vivid picture of its climatic extremes and cultural adaptations. “In the summer, it’s really hot because of the Gulf Stream, and it’s one of the few capitals in Europe where you can swim in the fjord. And in the winter, it’s really snowing and we have real ski slopes just outside of the city center. You have these tremendous seasonal changes that create this gratitude for spring arriving.” This dramatic shift in seasons, from sun-drenched fjords to snow-laden slopes, profoundly impacts the local psyche, fostering a deep appreciation for nature and the cycles of life—themes often echoed in Trier’s work. Despite his global success as a director, Trier remains deeply rooted in his hometown. He still embraces his passion for DJing, often playing sets in various city parks during the summer months. Of the first outdoor show each year, he describes it with a chuckle: “Everyone’s super pale, but they’re still running around in their shorts and t-shirts, celebrating summer arriving. It’s charming and weird.” This anecdote highlights the authentic, unpretentious spirit of Oslo that Trier so skillfully captures. Sentimental Value delves into the intricate dynamics of a fractured family in the wake of a matriarch’s death. The narrative centers on an estranged filmmaker father, Gustav (portrayed with gravitas by Stellan Skarsgård), and his two daughters, Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas), who harbor varying degrees of contempt for him. The film, which has garnered significant critical acclaim and is currently nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, explores themes of grief, artistic legacy, intergenerational trauma, and the complex bonds that tie families together, even when frayed. Available in theaters and on streaming platforms, Sentimental Value takes audiences on an emotional journey, deftly guided by Trier and his long-time collaborator, production designer Jørgen Stangebye Larsen, as they reveal the Oslo that underpins this deeply personal story. The National Theater, Oslo Early in Sentimental Value, we discover Nora is a theater actor, grappling with profound grief and angst that makes stepping onto the stage a monumental challenge. In a particularly raw scene backstage, she desperately attempts to shed her restrictive corset as the costume team rushes to assist, highlighting her internal struggle for freedom and authenticity. In the wings, she impulsively asks a costar to kiss her, then slap her, seeking a visceral jolt to snap her out of her emotional paralysis. When she finally makes her entrance, it’s to a cacophony of discordant electronic music and blinding strobing lights, creating an unsettling, almost experimental atmosphere. This powerful sequence was filmed at Oslo’s venerable National Theater, an institution steeped in Norwegian cultural history. "It’s where [Norwegian playwright Henrik] Ibsen used to have his premieres. It’s a very traditional, and now more conservative, but still very good theater,” Trier explains. The choice of such a historically significant venue is deliberate, contrasting with Oslo’s vibrant, often more avant-garde fringe theater scene. Trier acknowledges the presence of contemporary spaces like Vega Scene and the prominent work of artists like Vegard Vinge and Ida Müller, who are celebrated for their experimental productions, particularly in Berlin, but often bring their innovative vision back to Oslo. Larsen clarifies the decision to use the National Theater: “I know Joachim wanted to document it in film history, so to say, from the inside and behind the scenes.” This choice allows the film to explore the tension between tradition and modernity, and the personal struggles of an artist within a grand, established institution, giving audiences a rare glimpse into the hallowed halls of Norwegian theatrical heritage. The Family House Much of Sentimental Value orbits around the ancestral family home, a central character in itself, which is inherited not by Nora and Agnes but by their estranged father, Gustav. This charming, deep-red house with crisp white trim evokes the imagery of a classic storybook cottage, yet it harbors generations of secrets and unspoken tensions. It is nestled in Frogner, one of Oslo’s most elegant and affluent neighborhoods, known for its grand villas and numerous embassies. Trier deliberately chose this location for its symbolic resonance. “Oslo has many different parts, many different social milieus,” he notes. “And I liked that house because it was a soulful, worn, imperfect house in the middle of a bourgeois, fancy neighborhood. That’s kind of how the family is—artistic and prestigious from the outside but wounded about certain things.” This juxtaposition between the stately, refined exterior of Frogner and the slightly weathered, lived-in quality of the house perfectly mirrors the family’s own facade of respectability masking deep-seated pain and dysfunction. The production design meticulously portrays the house across several eras and generations, showcasing how its interiors evolve from the 1950s onwards, reflecting changing tastes and the enduring weight of familial history. The house becomes a repository of memories, a silent witness to both joy and sorrow, embodying the "sentimental value" that defines the film’s core themes. The Parks, Apartments, and Islands Around Oslo In stark contrast to the family’s historic home, Nora, the theater actor, inhabits a sleek, modern apartment tower on Oslo’s West Side. This architectural choice is deliberate and symbolic. “We wanted to have her high up in a more functional building, on the top floor, to emphasize her loneliness,” explains Larsen. The elevated perspective offers Nora sweeping, yet isolating, views of the city and its surrounding fjords, underscoring her emotional detachment and internal struggles. Oslo’s hilly topography ensures these varying vistas of land and sea are a constant presence, even from within an urban setting. Intriguingly, just across the street from Nora’s building lies the serene Our Savior’s Cemetery, the final resting place of iconic Norwegian figures like playwright Henrik Ibsen and painter Edvard Munch—a subtle nod to the city’s rich cultural legacy and the weight of history that even modern Oslo cannot escape. Oslo’s abundant green spaces play a vital role in the city’s identity and in Trier’s narrative. Larsen aptly describes them as the "green lungs of the city," where during summer, parks burst to life with music festivals, barbecues, and Norwegians embracing the outdoors. Trier himself has a particular fondness for Vigeland Park, located further west within the larger Frogner Park, famous for its impressive collection of sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. He also favors St. Hanshaugen Park, more centrally located, which offers panoramic views of the city and was famously featured in the captivating "pausing scene" from The Worst Person in the World. Larsen emphasizes the city’s walkability: “You can walk around Oslo very easily. If you can walk for 30 minutes, you can discover a lot on foot,” inviting exploration of these verdant havens. Another authentic glimpse into Oslo’s daily life occurs when Nora and her theater colleagues escape for a beach day amidst nature. While neither Trier nor Larsen could pinpoint the exact filming location—a testament to the abundance of such idyllic spots during the summer months—the scene perfectly captures a quintessential Norwegian pastime. “A boat trip is a very typical thing for Norway,” Larsen explains. “We have a lot of islands, and we have ferries that are connected to the same app [Ruter]. You buy the same ticket as for the tram or the bus, and you can just take all the ferries to all the islands in the summer and swim. That’s a very beautiful part of Oslo, how the nature is so close.” This seamless integration of urban life with accessible wilderness underscores the unique quality of Oslo that Trier’s films consistently celebrate. Lorry Restaurant and Bar Gustav’s return to Oslo is driven, in part, by his desire to convince Nora to star in his next film. This tense reunion unfolds in one of the dark, wood-clad booths of Lorry, a legendary restaurant and bar in Oslo. “It’s a beautiful, messy restaurant,” Trier affectionately describes, “A Bohemian, literary place to go with a long tradition of artists going in the evening and getting drunk.” Lorry is more than just a restaurant; it’s an institution, a vibrant cultural hub that has for decades drawn artists, writers, and intellectuals to its eclectic, atmospheric interiors. Its dimly lit, richly paneled spaces exude a sense of history and conviviality, making it an ideal setting for a fraught father-daughter negotiation about artistic legacy and personal reconciliation. The booths, with their high backs and intimate lighting, provide a sense of privacy amidst the bustling energy, perfectly framing the delicate and often painful conversations that define Gustav and Nora’s relationship. The choice of Lorry anchors this pivotal scene in a place that resonates deeply with Oslo’s artistic and literary community, adding layers of authenticity and character to the film’s unfolding drama. Deauville American Film Festival When Nora rejects his offer, Gustav, ever the driven filmmaker, turns his attention to American movie star Rachel Kemp (played by Elle Fanning). Their encounter takes place at the Deauville American Film Festival on the picturesque northern shores of France. Trier was struck by Deauville’s distinct character when he attended, finding it a compelling alternative to more famous festivals. “I went there and I found it has that tremendously flat, long beach, and a deep horizon which feels existentialist when you look at it,” he reflects. “It feels like eternity, as opposed to the Mediterranean and the southern beaches of France.” Gustav, attending for a retrospective on his career, is acutely aware that his best work might be behind him. This sense of fading glory is amplified by the setting. In one memorable scene, he wanders the boardwalk, the glamor of the festival receding behind him, and gazes out at the vast, contemplative expanse of the water. This provides a stark visual metaphor for his internal struggle and his search for renewed purpose. Trier’s affection for Deauville doesn’t diminish his appreciation for other French festivals. “Of course, I love Cannes,” he states, “But you wouldn’t have Gustav and Rachel alone on the beach at Cannes. The beaches are full.” Deauville’s intimacy allows for the quiet, reflective moments crucial to Gustav’s character development. Further lending Deauville cultural pedigree is its geographical position, nestled between two significant literary summer destinations: Cabourg, where Marcel Proust famously spent his summers between 1907 and 1914, and Trouville-sur-Mer, a favored writing retreat for Marguerite Duras. “It’s kind of an intellectual beach,” Trier concludes, underscoring the thoughtful, introspective atmosphere that perfectly complements Gustav’s artistic crisis and burgeoning connection with Rachel. National Archives of Norway As the present-day narrative unfolds, Agnes, the academic daughter, embarks on a quest to unravel her family’s history, particularly concerning her grandmother. We learn that Gustav’s mother committed suicide in the family home, an act seemingly connected to her traumatic past: she was abducted and tortured by Nazi collaborators for her involvement in Oslo’s Resistance during World War II. The film skillfully suggests this link, but it is not until Agnes visits the National Archives of Norway and pores over the official records documenting her grandmother’s harrowing experiences that the full weight of yesterday’s suffering on today’s family becomes devastatingly clear. The National Archives itself is more than just a research facility; it’s a profoundly evocative setting. “It’s also a stunning place. Very graphic, with all the hallways and storage and these super old documents and books,” says Larsen, describing its visual power. “It was an honor to film there, out near the forest in nature.” The architecture of the archives, with its labyrinthine corridors and towering shelves filled with historical documents, serves as a powerful visual metaphor for the buried truths and complex narratives that Agnes seeks to uncover. Filming amidst these tangible records of the past, nestled near nature, emphasizes the enduring connection between historical events and personal memory, highlighting how the trauma of war can ripple through generations, profoundly impacting a family’s "sentimental value" and sense of identity. Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value is a masterclass in using location not merely as a backdrop, but as an integral part of storytelling. From the intimate corners of Oslo to the contemplative shores of Deauville and the solemn halls of the National Archives, each setting is imbued with meaning, reflecting and refracting the emotional landscape of its characters. Through Trier’s lens, Oslo emerges as a city of quiet beauty, profound history, and deeply human experiences, solidifying its place as a unique and unforgettable cinematic muse. The film’s nine Academy Award nominations are a testament to its compelling narrative and the exquisite craftsmanship that brings this intricate family saga to life, with Oslo standing proudly as its beating heart. Post navigation On Location: The Secret Agent
