When a struggling filmmaker befriends an unassuming retired director, she discovers a Hollywood legend whose unique model for teaching has influenced some of the most iconic artists over the past fitty years.
In the midst of a personal crisis, filmmaker Shaina Feinberg goes to see Joan Darling in search of inspiration and guidance. Six months later she goes to film her again, this time in Florida where Joan has moved to an assisted living residence. The resulting footage reveals the intimate unfolding of a delicate mentorship. Well beyond career guidance, it was the resuscitation of a heart and soul. Something Joan has done for some of the most creative minds over the past five decades.
NONE OF THIS MATTERS is a feature-length documentary that delves into the incredible life of Joan Darling, a pioneering director and teacher. Sure, Joan Darling isn’t a household name, but as one of the first female television directors ever – she worked on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, MASH, Taxi and more – her impact is widespread. The film tracks Shaina and Joan's May-December friendship as it explores Darling’s groundbreaking contributions and her unique model of teaching that has impacted generations of artist, including Mary Tyler Moore and The Daniels.
Shaina Feinberg (she/they) is an award-winning American filmmaker and writer. She spent her twenties making a stoner, punk sketch show called The Spew. She has been on This American Life, was a resident at Space on Ryder Farms (2018) and Twenty Summers (2021), a Reel Families for Change grantee (2022) and a recipient of the Reboot Studios grant (2023). Her short doc, A Brief History of Hating My Face (2023), was commissioned by The New York Times. She has written for The New Yorker, Washington Post, Tablet and writes regularly for the New York Times. Her third book, Work, is due out in December 2024. Her films and books have been written about in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Bust, Broadly, Logo, THEM, Indiewire and more. She lives in Brooklyn with her partner and their two children.
Subject - Joan Darling
