Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film

Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film


221: Sinead O'Shea on Edna O'Brien

April 17, 2025

"Blue Road: The Edna O'Brien Story" profiles the Irish novelist who broke taboos both in her writing and her personal life. Her early novels were denounced by the Catholic Church and banned by the Irish Censor Board. This stunning film puts her legacy into a new perspective. "Blue Road" premiered at TIFF and is now playing in theaters in Ireland and the UK, but hasn't yet found U.S. distribution. Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviews director Sinead O'Shea whose previous films include "Pray for Our Sinners" and "A Mother Brings Her Son to be Shot." 

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On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1