How did New York comedian Cat Cohen end up in an Oscar-nominated Norwegian art film?

"I have an amazing agent who emailed me saying Joachim Trier was looking for an American person for this role that had a slightly comedic tone. She was in Los Angeles, Trier was in New York and leaving the next day. She didn't think twice about hopping on a plane. I needed to meet him. I'm obsessed with his films. He's a genius."

"And then as soon as I met him, he was just so kind and warm and cool. He was like 'Let's chat.' And I was like 'Hell yeah.' Cohen came up doing weekly cabaret nights at actor Alan Cumming's East Village club, aptly named Club Cumming, where she still performs. Her humor leans millennial - campy and theatrical but with a knowing, self-aware edge."

"Trier's office had sent over a general vibe of what they wanted for the role, just this idea of these American industry types who are so out of touch. The two did some improv and she went home feeling hopeful. Not long after, she heard the part was hers."

Catherine Cohen, a Houston-born comedian based in New York, secured a role in 'Sentimental Value,' a Norwegian arthouse film nominated for nine Academy Awards including Best Picture. After her agent informed her that director Joachim Trier sought an American actor for a comedic role, Cohen immediately flew from Los Angeles to New York for a meeting. Despite arriving exhausted and nervous, she connected with Trier, whom she admires greatly. The two improvised together, and Cohen subsequently won the part. The film follows a once-celebrated Norwegian director attempting to reconnect with his estranged daughters while mounting a comeback film that becomes entangled with a Netflix production.

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