Stellan Skarsgård Honored with DN's Culture Prize 2026 for 'Sentimental Value'

Stellan Skarsgård, the esteemed 74-year-old actor, has been awarded DN's Culture Prize 2026 in recognition of his powerful performance in the film "Sentimental Value." The film centers on Gustav Borg, portrayed by Skarsgård, an egocentric patriarch who seeks to reconcile with his daughters through art while confronting a painful family history. One key storyline follows his eldest daughter, Agnes, a historian uncovering their family's traumatic past tied to the Nazi occupation of Norway in the 1940s.

Skarsgård expressed his joy upon receiving the award but emphasized his greater happiness over the film's impact on audiences. He stated, "Man blir ju väldigt glad att folk tycker om det man gör. Men det handlar mer om de filmer man gör, att de berör och når fram," underscoring his belief in the importance of films that emotionally connect with viewers.

The cultural prize, established in 2007, honors outstanding contributions across literature, art, music, theater, and film, awarding recipients 50,000 kronor and a sculpture. Helena Lindblad from DN highlighted that Skarsgård’s portrayal reflects decades of accumulated acting depth, and the film contributes to a broader dialogue about how art can address generational trauma and history. Other nominees this year also explore themes of reconciliation with the past, illustrating the collective power of art to shift perceptions.

Skarsgård’s recognition through DN's Culture Prize not only celebrates his individual achievement but also the film's significant cultural resonance.