Sinead O’Connor documentary will still air despite singer’s death – to ‘tell her side of story’
Nothing Compares, a documentary about Sinead O’Connor, will still air on Saturday to provide viewers the opportunity to “hear her tell her side of the story”, according to the filmmaker.
Belfast-born director Kathryn Ferguson confirmed the original plan to release the programme on Sky Documentaries and Now from 29 July will proceed despite the recent passing of the Grammy-winning singer and songwriter at the age of 56.
The decision to move forward with the broadcast was made after careful consideration following the musician’s death.
The 2022 documentary delves into the late Irish star’s journey to international stardom, particularly after releasing her rendition of Nothing Compares 2 U, and the controversies she faced due to her outspoken protests.
The Irish singer in her music video for Nothing Compares 2 U
“We had been scheduled to release Nothing Compares today on Sky / Now for a very long time and after lots of thought we are going to go ahead with that plan,” Ferguson tweeted on Saturday.
“The reaction to the film and love for Sinead has been palpable and we feel screening it this weekend is the right thing to do, so that people can see her in all her glory and hear her tell her side of the story.”
She added: “An option she was rarely granted by some facets of the media who spent so much of their time being reductive of all she had to say.
“Nothing Compares is a love letter to Sinead. She meant the absolute world to me and I know she did to many of you.
“Watch the film, feel the rage, have a good cry and let’s remember the woman for her radical, magical ways and all she has done for us. I’ve never been prouder to be an Irish woman.”
The documentary examines pivotal moments in O’Connor’s late 80s and early 90s career through a “contemporary feminist lens”.
The singer gained fame with highly acclaimed albums, including her 1987 debut The Lion And The Cobra and Grammy-winning follow-up I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got.
The documentary examines pivotal moments in O’Connor’s late 80s and early 90s career
Throughout the decades, she released eight more albums, with her last, I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss, launched in 2014.
The Irish musician was renowned for her strong positions on social and political matters, notably when she tore up a picture of Pope John Paul II on US sketch show Saturday Night Live in 1992, protesting against the Catholic Church, which led to a vehement backlash.
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‘It isn’t good’: Sinead O’Connor’s final video
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The documentary showcases snippets from her music videos and live performances, along with previously unreleased footage and a more recent interview.
Ferguson previously expressed her desire for the documentary to “serve as a reminder of her greatness,” as she described O’Connor as “a special, funny and magnificent human being”.
She added: “Her fire lit a torch for so many of us, particularly those who grew up in the 1990s, and those who really needed her light.”
The filmmaker also expressed her gratitude for the “tremendous privilege” of creating the programme with the singer’s approval.
The documentary initially premiered at the Sundance World Cinema Documentary Competition in 2022 and later had a cinema release in October of the same year.
It received multiple award nominations and won the title of Best Feature Documentary at the Irish Film & Television Awards.
Nothing Compares will air on Sky Documentaries at 9pm and will be available on the subscription service Now. It will also be shown on Sky Showcase and Sky Arts.
Entertainment
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Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
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One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
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Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
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