AceShowbiz - In a ceremony noted for its political undertones, director Joachim Trier claimed the Oscar for Best International Feature Film for Sentimental Value. Accepting the award, Trier gave thanks to "the wonderful American writer James Baldwin," whose words he invoked to make a pointed statement. "He makes us remember that all adults are responsible for all children," Trier said from the stage, adding, "and let's not vote for politicians who don't take this seriously into account."

Sentimental Value, a drama about a film director played by Stellan Skarsgård and his dysfunctional family, continued a notable trend for the Academy Awards. For the third consecutive year, the Best International Oscar has been awarded to a film that premiered in the Cannes Film Festival's main Competition. This follows Sean Baker's Anora last year and Jonathan Glazer's The Zone of Interest the year before that. Trier's latest work had won the Grand Prix at Cannes, the festival's second-highest honor.

The victory represents a reversal of fortune for the Norwegian filmmaker. His previously Oscar-shortlisted film, The Worst Person in the World, ultimately lost the International Feature category to another Cannes champion: the Palme d'Or-winning Drive My Car by Ryusuke Hamaguchi. Furthermore, the 2025 Cannes outcome had suggested history might repeat itself, as the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or, was awarded to Jafar Panahi's It Was an Accident, which beat out Sentimental Value for the big French prize.

Despite Panahi's film being described as "one of the year's most ubiquitous art movies," it ultimately garnered "few trophies" in the major awards season, according to the source. This paved the way for Joachim Trier's cinematic family drama to secure the ultimate industry recognition at the Oscars. The win underscores the Academy's continued affinity for prestigious Cannes selections, solidifying the French festival's role as a crucial launchpad for awards success in this category.

The political nature of Trier's acceptance speech aligned with the overall tone of the evening, which was characterized as "convivial but surprisingly political." By quoting James Baldwin and issuing a direct call about political responsibility, the director used his platform to extend the film's thematic concerns about legacy and accountability into the real world. The moment highlighted how international filmmakers often utilize the Oscars' global stage to comment on broader social and political issues, transcending mere artistic celebration.