As a writer and director, Nadia Conners has dedicated the last two decades to creating a critical cinematic voice. Not only that, she’s been celebrating the premiere of her first narrative film, The Uninvited. This wonderful event, held at the South by Southwest Festival in March 2024, was a testament to her legendary career. Long overdue recognition Conners has opened the floodgates to praise for her recent work. For her influential environmental documentary, The 11th Hour, which premiered in 2007, she’s known on an international level, receiving a nomination at the Cannes Film Festival.
Whether in her professional work or her role as a community member, Conners has gained recognition for her passionate commitment to generating creative solutions. She’s collaborated with her husband, actor Walton Goggins, for the better part of their 23-year relationship. It is their journey together that provides fuel for creativity, collaboration and healthy competition. It results in a film that captures those shared experiences in truly remarkable ways.
The Journey to The Uninvited
Conners’ journey to becoming a filmmaker has been a lengthy and fulfilling process. For the last two decades, she has poured her heart into documentary storytelling. She frequently addresses the themes of environmental consciousness and human interaction through her art. Her last film, The 11th Hour, was a testament to her knack for exploring urgent issues with compelling storytelling.
The Uninvited marks a fresh start for Conners. And the film doesn’t paint her time with Goggins in an entirely rosy light, either. Rather, it stars him as the play’s less-than-stellar husband. The inspiration for the film stemmed from a party that the couple hosted, reflecting their real-life connection without being a biopic.
We had been a year into a relationship at that point with my now-wife, and I think just as lost as Rick is lost. I had nothing for my partner. I knew, deeply, Rick’s state of mind,” Goggins opened up about his character’s battle in the film.
A Partnership Built on Support
Nadia Conners and Walton Goggins’ relationship started almost six years before the couple married in August 2011. The couple were blessed with the birth of their son in January 2011, only a few months before their June wedding. Their seven-month-old son participated in their wedding, a fitting start to the family life they look forward to sharing together.
Even after more than two decades of marriage, Conners and Goggins still cheer each other on in their respective careers. In nearly every public appearance, Goggins has lavished compliments on his wife’s commitment to her craft. To be shoulder to shoulder with her with this cast in this story has just emotionally knocked me out. I love you, @nadiasomerset, and I am so proud of you 😊😊😊
Still, like Conners, it’s hard not to marvel at Goggins’ thirst for knowledge, his passion for art and design. She loves how they bond over their artistic endeavors. Design and art have the unique ability to touch the heart. “Walt and I meet on the ground of what moves us,” she told me.
Recognition and Future Endeavors
Nadia Conners: A Visionary in Film and Love illustrates how her journey has been marked by both personal and professional achievements. Goggins focused on her unyielding determination to win it all, saying, “20 years she has been working for this moment.”
As Conners breaks new ground in Hollywood, she’s finding a work-life balance at home. As she dives into new projects, including upcoming films and artist collaborations, her outlook could not be more focused. The unmatched couple’s creative synergy, a key ingredient to their mutual success, appears to be a continuing source of inspiration.
As Goggins once said of people like them, “You want comfort. In his words, “Walt doesn’t purchase a Porsche; he purchases a Kerry James Marshall. That’s the thing he’ll stretch for. Their remarkable pride in the arts and culture comes pouring out. It is this bridge that deepens their relationship as collaborators and romantic partners, in life and in art.