Kathryn Ferguson’s NOTHING COMPARES to premiere at Sundance
Date Posted: December 10, 2021
The 2022 Sundance Film Festival, running January 20-28, has announced the World Premiere of the documentary NOTHING COMPARES, directed by Northern Ireland filmmaker Kathryn Ferguson, on January 21 in Park City, Utah (with repeat Utah screenings and online in the US). A bold, multi-layered portrait of iconic musician Sinéad O’Connor, the film will be shown as part of the festival’s World Cinema Documentary Competition.
NOTHING COMPARES charts Sinéad OʼConnorʼs phenomenal rise to worldwide fame, and examines how she used her voice at the height of her stardom before her iconoclastic personality led to her exile from the pop mainstream. Focusing on Sinéad’s prophetic words and deeds from 1987 to 1993, the film presents an authored, richly cinematic portrait of this fearless trailblazer through a contemporary feminist lens.
The archive-led documentary features era-defining music videos and concert performances alongside previously unseen footage from this period. The film is underpinned by a new interview with Sinéad herself, in which she reflects on events in her own words, and from a present-day perspective. Intimate first-hand contributor interviews add to the tapestry with additional insights from contemporary artists, musicians and social commentators introducing broader themes of Irish history, politics and global activism, all the while reflecting on Sinéad’s artistry, impact and legacy.
“As a small team of independent filmmakers we are beyond thrilled to have our film invited to premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival,” stated director Kathryn Ferguson. “As an Irish woman, Sinéad’s story and incredible music have been a huge inspiration to me, and I can’t wait to share the film with audiences in Utah and beyond.”
Belfast-born Kathryn Ferguson is an award-winning director whose innovative and boundary-pushing documentary work has screened globally on platforms and at film festivals worldwide. After a decade focusing on short-form work centered on identity, gender politics and community, NOTHING COMPARES marks her first feature documentary.
NOTHING COMPARES was directed by Kathryn Ferguson and produced by Eleanor Emptage and Michael Mallie. Executive producers: Charlotte Cook, Lesley McKimm, Lucy Pullin, and Lisa Marie Russo. Editor: Mick Mahon. Music: Irene Buckley and Linda Buckley. Production: Tara Films (UK) and Ard Mhacha Productions (Ireland) in association with Field of Vision, Screen Ireland, BFI Doc Society Fund, ie:entertainment, and Northern Ireland Screen. Sales: Submarine Entertainment.
