Joachim Trier said “tenderness is the new punk”, when discussing his Cannes Competition title Sentimental Value at the film’s press conference today.

Trier’s sixth feature is described in its Cannes synopsis as “an exploration of family, memories and the power of art.” It stars Trier regular Renate Reinsve as a successful Oslo actress estranged from her filmmaker father, played by Stellan Skarsgard. When she declines a part in his personal next film, he offers it to an eager American starlet, played by Elle Fanning.

“[Tenderness] is what I need right now,” said Trier. “I need to believe that we can see the other,...