A special screening of the Norwegian feature film Sentimental Value took place at the National Cinema Center in Hanoi on Tuesday 25 November. The screening was part of the European Film Festival in Vietnam 2025, which is running in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier, is described as a warm story about family, reconciliation and the ties that connect people across generations. The film has been well received in Europe and is the latest work from the Norwegian director, who has gained international recognition for his personal and emotionally driven style.
Ahead of the screening, the Chargé d’Affaires of the European Union Delegation to Vietnam, Rafael de Bustamante, highlighted the diversity of contemporary European cinema presented through this year’s festival.
Ambassador of Norway to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken opened the event with remarks marking the significance of the screening, which coincided with the anniversary of diplomatic relations between Norway and Vietnam.
“I am thrilled to be here with you tonight – to enjoy a moving Norwegian story on the big screen – on the exact day that we celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations between Norway and Vietnam, 54 years ago. In this context, Sentimental Value is particularly fitting. The film is about connections — between generations, between people, and between cultures. It invites us to reflect on the relationships that shape our lives and the emotional ties that give our lives meaning,” says Hilde Solbakken.
The screening in Hanoi followed an earlier showing in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday 22 November, which drew a large audience of students, film enthusiasts and cultural partners.
The European Film Festival in Vietnam 2025 runs from 20 November to 6 December, offering Vietnamese audiences a selection of films from across Europe, including works connected to the LUX Audience Award and the European Film Awards Season 2026.
Source: VNS
Joachim Trier’s storytelling has a way of resonating deeply. It’s exciting to see Vietnamese audiences getting the chance to experience his work.