Nothing Compares (film)


Nothing Compares is a 2022 documentary feature film, directed by Kathryn Ferguson. It looks at the life and legacy of Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor, focusing on the years 1987–1993.
The film had its world premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival on 21 January 2022, after which it was acquired by Showtime Documentary Films. The film was theatrically released in the UK and Ireland by Paramount International on 7 October 2022.

Synopsis

Nothing Compares is the story of Sinéad O'Connor's phenomenal rise to worldwide fame and how her iconoclastic personality resulted in her exile from the pop mainstream. Focusing on her prophetic words and deeds from 1987–1993, the film reflects on the legacy of this fearless trailblazer through a contemporary feminist lens.

Production

The film is a UK and Ireland co-production, produced by Eleanor Emptage and Michael Mallie, and made with support from Field of Vision, Screen Ireland, BFI Doc Society Fund, Northern Ireland Screen and ie:entertainment.

Release and reception

Nothing Compares had its world premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival on 21 January 2022 in the World Cinema Documentary Competition. It toured the festival circuit picking up multiple awards, including Best Documentary Feature at the 2022 Galway Film Fleadh. On 1 February 2022, Showtime Documentary Films announced that it has acquired worldwide rights to Nothing Compares. The film premiered on Showtime on 30 September 2022. It was released in theatres in the UK and Ireland on 7 October 2022.

Critical response

Nothing Compares received positive reviews from film critics in the US, the UK and Ireland. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 99% approval rating based on reviews from 83 critics. The website's critical consensus reads: "A moving look at Sinéad O'Connor's remarkable life and career, Nothing Compares is enriching viewing whether or not you're a fan of her work."
The Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw gave it 4/5 stars, describing it as "a bracing guide to a brilliant individual who declined to conform." The Telegraph Chief Music Critic Neil McCormack gave it 5/5 stars, describing it as "the most potent film about the travails of a woman in the pop industry since Asif Kapadia's 2016 Oscar-winning Amy".

Accolades

On 4 December 2022, Nothing Compares received two British Independent Film Awards: Best Debut Director – Feature Documentary for Kathryn Ferguson, and Best Documentary. In May 2023, it won the George Morrison Feature Documentary Award at the 19th Irish Film & Television Awards.
AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipientResultReference
Sundance Film Festival30 January 2022World Cinema Documentary CompetitionNothing Compares
Dock of the Bay7 May 2022Feature Film Audience PrizeKathryn Ferguson, Eleanor Emptage, Michael MallieWon
Millennium Docs Against Gravity19 May 2022The Chopin's Nose AwardKathryn FergusonWon
Doc Edge Film Festival22 June 2022Thank You for the MusicKathryn Ferguson, Eleanor Emptage, Michael MallieWon
Galway Film Fleadh10 July 2022Best Irish DocumentaryKathryn Ferguson, Eleanor Emptage, Michael MallieWon
Docs Ireland11 July 2022Audience Award - Best DocumentaryKathryn Ferguson, Eleanor Emptage, Michael MallieWon
Aegean Film Festival16 July 2022Audience Award - Best DocumentaryKathryn Ferguson, Eleanor Emptage, Michael MallieWon
Jecheon International Music and Film Festival16 August 2022International CompetitionKathryn Ferguson, Eleanor Emptage, Michael Mallie
Edinburgh International Film Festival24 August 2022The Powell & Pressburger Award for Best Feature FilmKathryn Ferguson, Eleanor Emptage, Michael Mallie
Critics' Choice Documentary Awards13 November 2022Best Archival DocumentaryNothing Compares
Critics' Choice Documentary Awards13 November 2022Best Music DocumentaryNothing Compares
British Independent Film Awards4 December 2022Best Debut Director – Feature DocumentaryKathryn FergusonWon
British Independent Film Awards4 December 2022British Independent Film Award for Best DocumentaryKathryn Ferguson, Eleanor Emptage, Michael MallieWon
British Independent Film Awards4 December 2022Best EditingMick Mahon
International Documentary Association Awards10 December 2022Best Music DocumentaryKathryn Ferguson, Eleanor Emptage, Michael Mallie
Cinema Eye Honors13 January 2023Outstanding DebutKathryn Ferguson
Cinema Eye Honors13 January 2023Audience Choice PrizeKathryn Ferguson
Cinema Eye Honors13 January 2023The Unforgettables Sinéad O'ConnorWon
Cinema Eye Honors13 January 2023Outstanding Original ScoreLinda Buckley, Irene Buckley
Girls on Film Awards23 February 2023Best DocumentaryKathryn Ferguson, Eleanor Emptage, Michael MallieWon
British Film Editors Cut Above Awards24 February 2023Best Edited British Documentary or Non-Fiction ProgrammeMick Mahon
Producers Guild of America Awards25 February 2023Outstanding Producer of Documentary Theatrical Motion PicturesEleanor Emptage, Michael Mallie
Irish Film & Television Awards7 May 2023Best Feature DocumentaryKathryn Ferguson, Eleanor Emptage, Michael MallieWon
Irish Film & Television Awards7 May 2023Best Original MusicLinda Buckley, Irene Buckley
Irish Film & Television Awards7 May 2023Best EditingMick Mahon
44th News and Documentary Emmy Awards29 September 2023Outstanding Direction: DocumentaryKathryn Ferguson
44th News and Documentary Emmy Awards29 September 2023Outstanding Writing: DocumentaryKathryn Ferguson, Eleanor Emptage, Michael Mallie