In the new film Sentimental Value, actress Elle Fanning portrays Rachel Kemp, a young actress who journeys to Norway for the first time to collaborate with a distinguished Scandinavian director. The film’s release has provided Fanning with an opportunity to reflect on how her own experiences resonate with the character she plays.
Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, Fanning discussed the parallels between her life and Rachel’s journey. She noted, “I always feel like with acting… I mean, you are yourself, so you are maybe subconsciously drawing from things you’ve experienced.” Fanning acknowledged that while she strives to maintain a separation between herself and her character, some feelings Rachel experiences resonate deeply with her own.
“I can say I’ve felt before,” she added, highlighting that while the intensity of Rachel’s emotions might differ from her own, the “meta-ness” of the situation is undeniable. Fanning emphasized that she was experiencing the same journey as her character in real time, noting, “You can’t help but pick up things and kind of put that into the character. But I still, I think she is quite different from me!”
The film features the character Gustav Borg, played by Stellan Skarsgård, who brings depth to the story with his portrayal of a once-renowned director facing personal challenges. Skarsgård shared insights into how he shaped his character, stating that he did not want to model Gustav solely after any one director he has worked with in the past. “What I really could relate to is the artist that has the problem with dealing with his personal life and combining his passion for the art with the necessity of living a normal life too,” he explained.
Skarsgård elaborated on the complexities of being an artist, saying, “As an artist, unlike other professions, it’s not a profession. I mean, you have to do it, because if you don’t do it, you’ll die, in a way.” This sentiment resonates with one of the central themes of Sentimental Value, which posits that art can often facilitate communication about difficult, personal topics more effectively than direct conversation.
The film’s director, Joachim Trier, has been praised for his ability to depict the unspeakable emotions and challenges that many face. Skarsgård remarked, “What is fantastic with Joachim is he shows all the unspeakable things, all the things that you can’t explain in words, all the difficult things that you can only feel – and he manages to capture that.”
As Sentimental Value opens in cinemas across the UK, audiences can look forward to a film that not only explores the intricacies of personal relationships but also reflects the real-life experiences of its cast. This unique blend of reality and performance promises to offer viewers an engaging cinematic experience.
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