Charli XCX declared last summer "Joachim Trier Summer" — and Elle Fanning arrived at Cannes in agreement:

This summer, I thought: why not make Joachim Trier Summer something you can actually join?

So I'm hosting it — and you're invited.

If you've been here a while then you probably already know there are few filmmakers whose work I love as much as Joachim Trier's.

I named his Oslo, August 31st the best film of the 2010s, Sentimental Value the best film of 2025 — and I'm working on a book on his films.

And if you've been here a very long while, then you might recall I've been shouting into the void for over a decade that Louder Than Bombs is a masterpiece, too.

Trier was the first filmmaker where watching his films was never enough for me.

I always had to know: how on earth did he reach into my brain and put what was in there on screen?

The feelings, yes — but the way my thoughts work, too.

Are his films well-written? Incredibly. Are they well-acted? Brilliantly.

Neither of those things alone can explain the kinds of experiences Trier's films create.

Sometimes, that experience is a little counterintuitive:

How can Oslo, August 31st end tragically—and leave us with hope?

Often, you feel like you've been let into someone else's innermost thoughts:

How does The Worst Person in the World not just tell the story of someone figuring out what she wants — but somehow let us experience that process alongside her?

Those are two of the questions at the heart of Joachim Trier Summer — and I built a Deep Focus program around each one.

Here's how you can participate in Joachim Trier Summer:

Deep Focus programs

Three live sessions built around one big mystery in a single film — in a small group of no more than eight people.

Recordings are included if you can't attend live.

• The Worst Person in the World — late July

• Oslo, August 31st — late August

Sentimental Value: Origins

A fully asynchronous way to participate in Joachim Trier Summer.

This five-part paid email series traces how Sentimental Value builds on Trier's earlier films, changing the way you see both—from the recurring father figures to the images and filmmaking ideas he keeps returning to.

Starts mid-July and complements the Deep Focus programs.

How enrollment works

I'm doing something a little different this time.

Each cohort will be capped at eight people, and enrollment in each program will open roughly 1-2 weeks before it begins.

This ensures that there will be plenty of time to learn about each program and ask questions while there are still places available.

How to learn about the programs

Spend time with the program page. It's the home base for each program, bringing everything together in one place. Return to it as you read the emails.

Read the emails. I'll be sending out a few in the coming weeks. They'll explore different parts of the experience in more depth and from different angles.

Ask me questions. If something isn't clear—or reading the emails or program page sparks a new question—just ask. During the week, I will usually respond within 24 hours.

If you already any part of Joachim Trier Summer might be for you, hit reply and tell me you're interested.

Everyone who replies will also get access to enrollment before it opens publicly, so if you do decide to join after exploring the programs over the coming weeks, you'll have the best chance of getting one of the eight places.

And if you're hoping to join one of the live programs, let me know where you are in the world and whether you have a preference for a particular day or time.

I can't promise I'll accommodate every request, but I'll take them into account as I finalize the schedule.

More soon!

Alex

P.S. If you already know you don't want to join any part of Joachim Trier Summer — including the email series — you can skip future emails by clicking here.