A new documentary is to be broadcast this weekend that looks at the life of Sinéad O’Connor, who died on Wednesday.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Kathryn Ferguson, Nothing Compares is a portrait of the Irish musician that examines O’Connor’s cultural significance and global impact.

The documentary, which focuses on O’Connor’s phenomenal rise to fame between 1987 and 1993, received rave reviews from critics after it debuted at the Sundance World Cinema Documentary Competition 2022. Among other things, the film explores how O’Connor used her platform to address social issues including abuse within the Catholic church, misogyny and racism. 

“I grew up in Belfast during the 1980s and 90s. Women and their rights, particularly their reproductive rights, were very low down the pecking order,” said Ferguson.

“When Sinéad burst into my consciousness as a young teenager, it felt like a door had been kicked open. Here was a bold Irish woman who said things that others didn’t feel they could say, and she said them loudly.”

Featuring archival footage of O’Connor rehearsing and performing, Nothing Compares also includes an exclusive recent interview with the musician, in which she reflected on her life, the abuse she experienced as a child and the vitriol she faced for – in Ferguson’s words – “daring to be an outspoken woman”.

The documentary highlights how O’Connor was relentlessly attacked by the media for her physical appearance.

While in the US, her outspoken protests against sexual abuse in the church – which included ripping up a photograph of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live – caused her to be boycotted by several radio stations. Threats of violence were also made against her, with Frank Sinatra saying that he wanted to “kick her in the ass” live on stage.

Born in Glenageary, County Dublin, in December 1966, O’Connor’s musical career started after a nun brought her a guitar while she was in An Grianan Training Centre in Dublin (formerly one of the notorious Magdalene laundries). 

Her debut album, The Lion And the Cobra, was released in 1987 and became a major success, earning O’Connor a Grammy nomination. However, it was her most successful single, a cover of Prince’s Nothing Compares 2 U, that propelled her to the top of the charts in the UK, Ireland and US.

O’Connor’s relatives announced the death of the singer and activist “with great sadness” on Wednesday 26 July, saying “her family and friends are devastated”.

Nothing Compares will be available from Saturday 29 July on Sky Documentaries and NOW and will air at 9pm on Sky Showcase and Sky Arts. 

Images: Colm Henry/Sinéad O’Connor