Elle Fanning, taking on the leading role of Rachel Kemp in Joachim Trier’s latest film, Sentimental Value, brings the Elle Fanning Sentimental Value theme vividly to life as she steps into a story that closely parallels her own experiences. The film, now released in UK cinemas, sees Fanning’s character, a young American actress, head to Norway for her first time to work with an acclaimed Scandinavian director—a journey that mirrors Fanning’s own real-life circumstances.
This overlap between Fanning and her character is not lost on audiences or on Fanning herself. The prospect of life mirroring art set the stage for emotionally charged performances and raised questions about how personal experience informs creative work. With Stellan Skarsgård portraying the enigmatic Gustav Borg and Renate Reinsve featuring prominently, the film gathers attention not only for personal connections but also for its impressive cast and direction from The Worst Person in the World’s Joachim Trier.
Fanning Reflects on Channeling Authentic Emotion for Rachel Kemp
In the buildup to Sentimental Value’s premiere, Elle Fanning addressed the parallels between her life and her role, providing a glimpse into her process. When asked how much her real experiences shaped her portrayal, Fanning explained,
“I always feel like with acting… I mean, you are yourself, so you are maybe subconsciously drawing from things you’ve experienced,”
she explained, making clear the intricate relationship between her own identity and her characters.
Fanning further stated,
“Normally, I try to separate, but there were feelings that Rachel felt that I’ve definitely… I can say I’ve felt before. Maybe not to the magnitude that she is feeling them when we meet her, but you can’t help but kind of see the meta-ness of it all, and the correlations between what is going on with me being an American actress coming to Norway for the first time to work with a Norwegian filmmaker.”
Her responses reveal the layered, sometimes complex, ways in which her life journey informed her onscreen work. She added,
“I mean, that was all happening in real time, so you can’t help but pick up things and kind of put that into the character. But I still, I think she is quite different from me!”
These insights not only illuminate Fanning’s process but also show the film’s emotional depth, resonating with audiences who recognise the realism woven throughout Rachel Kemp’s story.
Stellan Skarsgård’s Approach to Portraying Gustav Borg
In Sentimental Value, Stellan Skarsgård portrays Gustav Borg, a former renowned filmmaker whose persona is central to the film’s tension and thematic exploration. Skarsgård discussed his own creative process in relation to Borg, underscoring both the differences and points of resonance between himself and the character. He remarked,
“I mean, I’m an actor, I can play what the f**k whoever,”
speaking to the craft’s versatility before reflecting on the generational aspects of Borg:
“What wasn’t like me at all was [that] he definitely belonged to an older generation than me, even if he has the same age. He’s a very 20th century man. But then I could relate to him, because I know them.”
For Skarsgård, relating to Gustav’s internal struggles became essential. He noted,
“What I really could relate to is the artist that has the problem with dealing with his personal life and combining his passion for the art with the necessity of living a normal life too. Because as an artist, unlike other professions, it’s not a profession. I mean, you have to do it, because if you don’t do it, you’ll die, in a way. And you won’t be the same person. But it’s hard to combine sometimes.”
This candid reflection opens a window into the personal and professional challenges artists face, a theme that is central not only to Gustav Borg’s character but to the overall narrative thrust of Sentimental Value.
The Impact of Art as an Emotional Medium
One of Sentimental Value’s most significant themes is the use of art to confront and express what is difficult to say face-to-face. Skarsgård underscored this, saying,
“But what is fantastic with Joachim is he shows all the unspeakable things, all the things that you can’t explain in words, all the difficult things that you can only feel – and he manages to capture that.”
Joachim Trier’s direction is credited with bringing out the nuanced, unspoken elements of the human experience, giving his actors the space to infuse their roles with genuine emotion drawn from real life and imagination alike.
Elle Fanning, Stellan Skarsgård, and Renate Reinsve all contribute to a film that reflects the emotional intensity and complexity of their characters. The synergy between the cast and Trier’s directorial vision allows Sentimental Value to explore deep questions around identity, generational difference, and the challenges of artistic life.
Broader Influence and Ongoing Conversations
As Sentimental Value debuts in UK cinemas, it draws attention not just for its narrative, but for its exploration of the artist’s struggle, the blurred lines between performance and personal truth, and its resonance for viewers grappling with similar themes. The overlapping realities of Elle Fanning’s journey and Rachel Kemp’s fictional one offer a unique lens, lending authenticity to Trier’s storytelling.
The film’s release signals continued recognition for Fanning and Skarsgård, whose performances anchor a cinematic experience that speaks to artists and audiences alike. Observers can expect Sentimental Value to inspire conversations about personal expression, the weight of experience, and the power of cinema to capture both the said and the unsaid.
With its emotionally intense and reflective approach, Sentimental Value stands as a testament to the challenges and rewards of bringing authentic experience to the screen, contributing to discussions about how life and art continue to shape one another.
