How Oscar‑winning Sentimental Value became Joachim Trier’s grand love letter to Oslo

Norway is celebrating a historic moment at the 2026 Academy Awards, securing its first ​ever win in the best international feature film category. Sentimental Value (Affeksjonsverdi), directed by Joachim Trier and co-written with Eskil Vogt, emerged from a competitive shortlist of 15 films to claim the prize on Sunday.

The film features a widely recognised cast including Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Elle Fanning and Anders Danielsen Lie. This marks Norway’s seventh nomination in the category, following earlier recognition for Trier’s 2021 film The Worst Person in the World, but its first victory.

A house at the heart of memory

At the centre of Sentimental Value is a single villa located in Oslo’s Frogner district. The house is not merely a backdrop but a central character, anchoring the film’s emotional narrative. The story spans more than a century, from 1918 to 2023, tracing generations of lives shaped within its walls.

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The villa reflects Norway’s dragon style architecture, with steep gables, intricate carvings and detailed timber work. This style draws from Viking era craftsmanship and the design traditions of stave churches.

Emerging in the late nineteenth century, dragon style reimagined Norwegian heritage through a romantic lens and continues to influence notable buildings across the country.

Architecture as storytelling

In the film, architecture becomes a visual thread connecting past and present. The villa reinforces themes of memory, continuity and the passage of time.

According to the Norwegian Film Commission, this architectural language serves as a grounding force in the narrative.

Filming took place on location in Thomas Heftyes gate, where the production used the villa’s exterior and parts of the interior. To recreate different time periods, the upper floors were rebuilt in a studio.

This allowed the filmmakers to adapt the house across decades and seasons using virtual production techniques at Gateway Studios.

Oslo on screen

Another prominent location in the film is the National Theatre, where Nora, played by Renate Reinsve, works as an actress.

Opened in 1899 and designed by Henrik Bull, the theatre stands between the Royal Palace and Parliament. Its neo-renaissance design and richly detailed interiors add depth and atmosphere to the film.

The search for the right house took nearly a year. In the end, Trier found the villa just a short walk from his own home, grounding the film in a deeply personal connection to the city.

A cinematic cityscape

Oslo plays a vital role in shaping the film’s tone. The city offers a blend of modern architecture, historic neighbourhoods and waterfront developments.

Beyond the urban setting, lakes, forests and fjords are easily accessible, giving filmmakers a wide range of visual possibilities within close reach.

This balance between city and nature enhances the film’s reflective quality, reinforcing its themes of time, change and belonging.

Why Norway works for filmmakers

Norway also stands out as a practical and sustainable filming destination. The country’s energy supply is largely powered by renewable hydropower, providing a stable and environmentally friendly production base.

Transport systems are efficient and low emission, with strong public transit networks and widespread access to electric vehicles.

International productions benefit from flexible work regulations. Non residents can work in Norway for up to 90 days without a permit, as long as on screen work does not exceed 14 days per individual.

Local film commissions and authorities are known for their supportive approach, assisting with permits, logistics and coordination.

Together, these factors make Norway an attractive choice for global productions while allowing films like Sentimental Value to remain deeply rooted in place.

In capturing Oslo’s architecture, history and emotional landscape, Sentimental Value becomes more than a film. It stands as a layered and a sentimental tribute to the city itself.