Last week, the award-winning film ‘Sentimental Value’ had its first screening in Nigeria. This event, a result of collaboration between the Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF) and the Norwegian government, marks a significant milestone in showcasing acclaimed international films to Nigerian audiences.
The 2 hours 13 minutes tragic-dramedy tells the story of writer and film director Gustav Borg, whose tragic and traumatic past led to a strained relationship with his two daughters, Nora and Agnes.
‘Sentimental Value’ highlights family and relationships, and how easily those bonds are strained when one values other things above them. It also looks at the impact of broken homes on the children, with some children, especially the older ones, taking the blame for their parents’ separation, and having to take on the role of caregiver to their younger ones, whilst feeling unloved and undeserving.
And while one may blame the parents like Gustav who walk away from their families, only to return seeking forgiveness much later in life, some part of us understands that need to explore, and see the world, and do exploits, that those without the right emotional maturity and balance can end up hurting their loved ones with their selfish goings and comings.
The film also addresses the issue of generational trauma and how it’s not being addressed can be perpetuated in a family lineage – no matter how psychologically insightful one might be. That is because hurt people hurt people.
One very unique thing about the film is its honesty. Considering that viewers get to see a lot of scenes of shooting a film and acting onstage, where characters literally have to put on a fake expression or emotion to play (like watching the making of a film withmany scenes of shooting a film and of acting onstage, where characters literally have to put on a fake expression or emotion to play (like watching the making of a film within a film), it an actress Rachael Kemp, so sincerely that one could never hate. Likewise, for Renate Reinsve, who plays the traumatized daughter, uncaring, and emotionally restrained, but yelling silently for love. Or even the father Gustav, played by Stellan Skarsgard, who pulled off the aloof but scarred man seeking to be understood and given another chance by his family. Special commendation goes to Inga Lileas as Agnes, who plays the peacemaker, the one who stealthily tries to unite everyone. She did it so well that it didn’t appear contrived at all.
Of course, many thanks to the cinematography and director of photography; while many of the movie scenes were shot in darkness and shadows, they all contribute to the atmosphere, the mood of the characters, and even the prediction of the next scenes.
There is much to say about this film, in addition to its genuineness, which shines across the screen, that it is easy to see why it has dominated awards since its release on August 20, 2025. It won six awards at the European Film Festival, including Best Film, Best Director for Joachim Trier, Best Actress for Renate Reinsve, Best Actor for Stellan Skarsgard, Best Screenplay, and Best Score. It also secured the Best Supporting Actor Award for Skarsgard at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), and a special recognition at the Cannes International Film Festival.
It is breaking ground at the Oscars – after being nominated for nine awards at the Academy Awards, which are set to take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles (LA). No wonder it is the best international outing for any Norwegian film.
Speaking with Leadership Lifestyle, KADIFF Founder and Director, Israel Kashim Audu, said having the movie pre-screened in Abuja for consideration for the festival was a huge win.
Initially meant to be screened by the Embassy, it took the intervention of KADIFF and an offer of collaboration with the Norwegian Film Institute (NFI) for its screening at the festival in August to make the pre-screening possible.
“It is a great outing for us. The Norwegian Film Institute is happy and ready to collaborate with us, which is why you are able to see this film today. Without KADIFF, the embassy wouldn’t have a film to screen today,” stressed Audu.
He noted that this is the first time that the Oscar-nominated film is being screened in Nigeria, and the first time an Oscar-nominated film will screen at KADIFF. Such would not have been possible without the aid of the Norwegian government via its newly established relationship with the Norwegian Film Institute.
“This is already the best collaboration that we (KADIFF) have with international government authorities. KADIFF works closely with a lot of embassies, but this collaboration with the Norwegian Film Institute and Norwegian Embassy is sustainable, and one we are looking forward to nurturing beyond today’s screening.”
Audu noted that the collaboration can open doors for the networking of Nigerian and Norwegian filmmakers, alongside shared knowledge in the area of quality productions.
“We are looking at how we can get Nigerian filmmakers to attend film festivals in Norway, and for Norwegian filmmakers to visit Nigerian film festivals.
“This movie has good quality production, from the sound to the cinematography, and the directing. We will be happy to work with the Norwegian Film Institute to have more film production training for creatives in Nigeria.”
For the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Svein Baera, it was a joyous occasion to screen the film to “a great filmic nation like Nigeria”.
He attributes ‘Sentimental Value’s success to the relatable themes it addresses. “This movie is about relationships between parents and children, and with friends. It is about getting old, and it’s about parts of life that we can all recognize. That is what I think makes it so popular.”
Baera noted that the embassy views culture as “another part of life”, it “seeks to maintain good relations with Nigeria”, thus the venture into film screening, as a means of building appetite for Norwegian films amongst Nigerians.”
The 2 hours 13 minutes tragic-dramedy tells the story of writer and film director Gustav Borg, whose tragic and traumatic past led to a strained relationship with his two daughters, Nora and Agnes.
‘Sentimental Value’ highlights family and relationships, and how easily those bonds are strained when one values other things above them. It also looks at the impact of broken homes on the children, with some children, especially the older ones, taking the blame for their parents’ separation, and having to take on the role of caregiver to their younger ones, whilst feeling unloved and undeserving.
And while one may blame the parents like Gustav who walk away from their families, only to return seeking forgiveness much later in life, some part of us understands that need to explore, and see the world, and do exploits, that those without the right emotional maturity and balance can end up hurting their loved ones with their selfish goings and comings.
The film also addresses the issue of generational trauma and how it’s not being addressed can be perpetuated in a family lineage – no matter how psychologically insightful one might be. That is because hurt people hurt people.
One very unique thing about the film is its honesty. Considering that viewers get to see a lot of scenes of shooting a film and acting onstage, where characters literally have to put on a fake expression or emotion to play (like watching the making of a film withmany scenes of shooting a film and of acting onstage, where characters literally have to put on a fake expression or emotion to play (like watching the making of a film within a film), it an actress Rachael Kemp, so sincerely that one could never hate. Likewise, for Renate Reinsve, who plays the traumatized daughter, uncaring, and emotionally restrained, but yelling silently for love. Or even the father Gustav, played by Stellan Skarsgard, who pulled off the aloof but scarred man seeking to be understood and given another chance by his family. Special commendation goes to Inga Lileas as Agnes, who plays the peacemaker, the one who stealthily tries to unite everyone. She did it so well that it didn’t appear contrived at all.
Of course, many thanks to the cinematography and director of photography; while many of the movie scenes were shot in darkness and shadows, they all contribute to the atmosphere, the mood of the characters, and even the prediction of the next scenes.
There is much to say about this film, in addition to its genuineness, which shines across the screen, that it is easy to see why it has dominated awards since its release on August 20, 2025. It won six awards at the European Film Festival, including Best Film, Best Director for Joachim Trier, Best Actress for Renate Reinsve, Best Actor for Stellan Skarsgard, Best Screenplay, and Best Score. It also secured the Best Supporting Actor Award for Skarsgard at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), and a special recognition at the Cannes International Film Festival.
It is breaking ground at the Oscars – after being nominated for nine awards at the Academy Awards, which are set to take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles (LA). No wonder it is the best international outing for any Norwegian film.
Speaking with Leadership Lifestyle, KADIFF Founder and Director, Israel Kashim Audu, said having the movie pre-screened in Abuja for consideration for the festival was a huge win.
Initially meant to be screened by the Embassy, it took the intervention of KADIFF and an offer of collaboration with the Norwegian Film Institute (NFI) for its screening at the festival in August to make the pre-screening possible.
“It is a great outing for us. The Norwegian Film Institute is happy and ready to collaborate with us, which is why you are able to see this film today. Without KADIFF, the embassy wouldn’t have a film to screen today,” stressed Audu.
He noted that this is the first time that the Oscar-nominated film is being screened in Nigeria, and the first time an Oscar-nominated film will screen at KADIFF. Such would not have been possible without the aid of the Norwegian government via its newly established relationship with the Norwegian Film Institute.
“This is already the best collaboration that we (KADIFF) have with international government authorities. KADIFF works closely with a lot of embassies, but this collaboration with the Norwegian Film Institute and Norwegian Embassy is sustainable, and one we are looking forward to nurturing beyond today’s screening.”
Audu noted that the collaboration can open doors for the networking of Nigerian and Norwegian filmmakers, alongside shared knowledge in the area of quality productions.
“We are looking at how we can get Nigerian filmmakers to attend film festivals in Norway, and for Norwegian filmmakers to visit Nigerian film festivals.
“This movie has good quality production, from the sound to the cinematography, and the directing. We will be happy to work with the Norwegian Film Institute to have more film production training for creatives in Nigeria.”
For the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Svein Baera, it was a joyous occasion to screen the film to “a great filmic nation like Nigeria”.
He attributes ‘Sentimental Value’s success to the relatable themes it addresses. “This movie is about relationships between parents and children, and with friends. It is about getting old, and it’s about parts of life that we can all recognize. That is what I think makes it so popular.”
Baera noted that the embassy views culture as “another part of life”, it “seeks to maintain good relations with Nigeria”, thus the venture into film screening, as a means of building appetite for Norwegian films amongst Nigerians.”
