Norwegian drama Sentimental Value has won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film – Norway's first win in the category.
BA (Hons) Film Production alumnus Lars Thomas Skare was First Assistant Director (AD) on the film, working closely with director Joachim Trier.
The film, starring Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning, among others, follows the story of a film director estranged from his adult daughters, exploring themes of parental abandonment, childhood trauma and complicated family relationships.
While accepting his Oscar on Sunday 15 March, Trier expressed appreciation for the cast and crew, describing the project as a deeply collaborative effort, involving more than 1,000 contributors across the production.
"The film is about a very dysfunctional family, and it's the opposite of what I felt with this beautiful group behind me," he commented.
On working with Trier, Lars says, "Joachim has a deep respect and understanding for the intertwined relationship between the role of the director and the AD. Both generous and inclusive in his creative process, and a rallying team leader – and a man I can call a dear friend."
The Academy Award win is the latest in a series of accolades for Sentimental Value, which secured a BAFTA earlier in the year, alongside multiple honours at the European Film Awards and winning the Cannes Grand Prix.
