Joachim Trier on How Feminism ‘Helped Men’ on Set, Retaining Final Cut and ‘Not Wanting To Be’ Like ‘Sentimental Value’ Character as a Father

Norwegian auteur Joachim Trier got honest about fatherhood during an in-depth conversation event at the San Sebastián Film Festival. In the Basque city to present his Cannes-winning drama “Sentimental Value” — Norway’s official entry for the best international feature film Oscar race — the director was asked how he “relates” to the film’s main character, Gustav Borg. The fictional film director played by Stellan Skarsgård is professionally renowned but emotionally distant, having traded a healthy relationship with his two daughters for a lauded career in film.

“You’re asking a big question,” pointed out the director. “This is the first film I made while having two children. I said going in, ‘I’m really scared of failing as a father,’ and it’s very symbolic to make this film for me because I don’t want to be Borg. We shot in Oslo, I could go home every night, and…