Joachim Trier’s ‘Sentimental Value’ Wins Big at Amanda Awards

Joachim Trier’s Oscar winner “Sentimental Value” became this year’s biggest Amanda Awards winner, taking home eight statuettes, including the top prize for best Norwegian film. 

Trier was also awarded for directing, as well as his screenplay written with longtime collaborator Eskil Vogt.

“There’s a lot of stuff going on when you make and release films, and we both like to go back to that safe space and rediscover that calm where it’s just our two voices. We are fortunate enough that our films generate more and more noise that we have to shut out, so when we work, we make it personal and small again,” they told Variety back in January.

“When I write alone, I procrastinate. When I’m procrastinating with Joachim, even if I haven’t done anything, at least I got to spend a day with my friend,” said Vogt, with Trier adding: “Eskil is my longest relationship outside of my parents. We don’t need to be silly romantic about it, but we have to be honest: it’s a real gift.”

Paul Thomas Anderson’s hit “One Battle After Another” tok home the Amanda For best foreign film.

On the acting front, Pia Tjelta scored her second Amanda – this time for her performance in “Don’t Call Me Mama.” Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas won for “Sentimental Value,” while Anna Drakopoulou Sverrisdóttir was named Newcomer of the Year for “Brightly Shining.”

“The Battle of Oslo” – last year’s opening film at the Norwegian International Film Festival Haugesund – won the People’s Amanda.

It depicts the sinking of German cruiser Blücher, under the leadership of Colonel Birger Eriksen, and “is one of the most famous events in our history. Some people are calling it the single most important event during the WWII in Norway,” said director Daniel Fahre.

“We kept it quite accurate, also because it’s such a thrilling story. But we had to look for its emotional side, because there’s no mention of that in military reports. I am sure Colonel Eriksen had doubts, that he was afraid. But nobody wrote about it. I wanted to follow the facts and see what was hiding behind them.” 

The Amanda Committee’s Honorary Award went to Per Christian Ellefsen, known for “Elling” and called by the jurors “one of Norway’s most beloved actors.” 

“The first film about Elling was released in 2001, meaning it celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, and Per Christian Ellefsen was nominated for an Amanda Award for the title role in the first film,” they recalled, saying that “few characters in Norwegian cinema have been as beloved.” 

“While he struggles through three successful films, Per Christian Ellefsen certainly masters the role of Elling to perfection,” they said.

Finally, the Amanda Committee’s Golden Clapper went to casting directirs Mette Holme Nielsen and Jannecke Bervell for their contributions to Norwegian film over more than 30 years. 

“Casting is one of the most crucial elements in film and TV production, yet it is also one of the most underrated. It is in the casting process that the script meets the actors, and this is where the foundation for credibility, chemistry, and cohesion is laid,” argued the jury.

“A good casting can elevate an entire production, while poor casting can bring a film down. Casting also plays an important role in promoting diversity, by opening the doors to new voices, new expressions and a broader range of people on screen. It is therefore a profession that requires instinct, an understanding of people, experience and the ability to see potential where others may not.”

Mette Holme Nielsen is known for “Kitchen Stories” and “Utøya July 22,” which earned her a nomination for the International Casting Director Award. Jannecke Bervell worked on “Elling,” “Kon-Tiki” or “The Quake.” 

The Amanda Awards were hosted by Vegard Larsen and Linnea Myhre. The broadcast was produced by Monster for NRK. 

The full list of awards:

Best Norwegian Film 

“Sentimental Value” 

Director: Joachim Trier

Producers: Maria Ekerhovd and Andrea Berentsen Ottmar

Best Director

Joachim Trier for “Sentimental Value”

Best Screenplay

Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier for “Sentimental Value”

Best Performance in a Leading Role

Pia Tjelta for “Don’t Call Me Mama”

Best Performance in a Supporting Role

Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for “Sentimental Value”

Newcomer of the Year

Anna Drakopoulou Sverrisdóttir for “Brightly Shining”

Best Childrens’ Film

“A Mouse Hunt for Christmas” 

Director: Henrik Martin Dahlsbakken

Producers: Martin Sundland, Thea B. Kevin Karlsen and Tor Markus Iden

Best Documentary 

“Flophouse America” Director: Monica Strømdahl

Producers: Siri Natvik and Beathe Hofseth

Best Production Design

Jørgen Stangebye Larsen for “Sentimental Value”

The People’s Amanda

“The Battle of Oslo”

Director: Daniel Fahre

Producer: Knut Inge Solbu

Best Sound Design 

Johannes Dekko for “Rally from Paris to the Pyramids”

Best Makeup Design

Trine Morland for “Sentimental Value”

Best Editing

Olivier Bugge Coutté for “Sentimental Value”

Best Cinematography

Kasper Tuxen Andersen for “Sentimental Value”

Best Original Score 

Ola Kvernberg for “Rally from Paris to the Pyramids”

Best Visual Effects

Fredrik Fottland, Andreas Hylander, Jonas Larsen and Simon Jansson for “A Mouse Hunt for Christmas”

Best Costume Design 

Alva Brosten for “Brightly Shining”

Best Short Film 

“Fata Morgana” 

Director: Aasne Vaa Greibrokk

Producer: Ragna Nordhus Midtgard

The Amanda Committee’s Honorary Award

Per Christian Ellefsen 

The Amanda Committee’s Golden Clapper

Mette Holme Nielsen and Jannecke Bervell

Best Foreign Language Film

“One Battle After Another” 

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, distributed in Norway by Warner Bros. Discovery