Elle Fanning Declares ‘Joachim Trier Summer’ at Cannes Amid ‘Sentimental Value’ Raves, Says She’s ‘Grown in My Autonomy and Speaking Up’ as an Actor

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Charli XCX coined the term “Joachim Trier summer” during her performance at Coachella, and now Elle Fanning, a key actor in his upcoming movie “Sentimental Value,” has reinforced this theme.

On Thursday, Fanning donned a white T-shirt emblazoned with a phrase at the press conference for her movie in Cannes. This screening on Wednesday received the longest applause of the competition yet, lasting an ecstatic 15 minutes. The film’s positive response has the festival abuzz, hinting that it could be a strong contender for this year’s Palme d’Or award.

During the press conference, when someone inquired about the shirt Fanning was wearing, Trier replied: “I was thrilled you noticed that! Charli Xcx greeted us warmly and we’re extremely thankful. I adore her music; she’s fantastic. I believe Elle is a fan as well. The issue is, I’ve been working so relentlessly for the past three years that I can hardly recall what a Joachim Trier summer feels like anymore. However, I long for one.

At 27 years old, Fanning – known for her early fame alongside her sister Dakota – discussed how her acting career has progressed throughout the years when a reporter commented on this potentially being her most grown-up role to date. She portrays Rachel Kemp, a Hollywood actress approached by director Gustav Borg (Stellan Skarsgard) for a deeply personal film originally intended for his daughter Nora (Renate Reinsve). However, after becoming entangled in their family’s turmoil, Rachel ultimately decides to withdraw from the production.

As I’ve grown older, more opportunities have come my way, and I consider myself fortunate to have landed this one,” she shared. “I’ve never before found myself in a situation like Rachel’s, as I haven’t advanced that far with a project previously. However, I’ve certainly encountered scripts where I was initially offered one character, but upon reading, I felt the other character might be a better fit for me. I’ve also declined roles when I didn’t feel I was the right choice or wasn’t quite ready yet. I tend to trust my instincts and go with what feels right in my gut.

She mentioned that she’s undoubtedly become more independent and assertive over the years in her professional career.

Regarding collaborating with Trier, Fanning expressed her immense admiration for his movie “The Worst Person in the World.” She had always dreamed of working with him, which placed him high on her list of sought-after directors.

Upon reading the script,” she exclaimed, “I was utterly taken aback. Such scripts, filled with emotion and complexity, are seldom found. I devoured it in no time. It’s usually obvious when I’m thrilled about something, and my speedy reading certainly reflects my excitement.

Recalling their encounter, Fanning met with Trier in Oslo prior to filming the upcoming “Predator: Badlands” in New Zealand. She referred to it as a major box-office hit.

She went on to explain that we had numerous deep discussions about what kind of person Rachel should become. This entire experience, the atmosphere he fosters, is a wonderfully secure setting where one can freely express themselves. He observes and interacts with you in such a way that he brings forth aspects of yourself that you weren’t even aware existed within you.

I, too, delved into the raw emotions showcased in the movie. Initially, my punk background and I had some reservations as we approached this subject matter due to our hesitance. However, with Eskil Vogt by my side, we found the courage to tackle it head-on.

He expressed that we were always against mainstream culture and didn’t want to produce sentimental films. However, as our body of work has grown, we’ve recognized that life can be tough, and perhaps we should embrace vulnerability and portray characters who are vulnerable. In essence, we found that sensitivity is the new rebellion. To me, it certainly is. At this moment, what I crave is the belief in understanding others, a feeling of reconciliation, and the notion that divisiveness and bravado aren’t the only paths to progress.

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2025-05-22 15:16