Screenwriter: Marc Arthur Chéry

Producers: Zeinabu irene Davis, Marc Arthur Chéry

Vidiots is thrilled to welcome filmmaker, professor, and leading figure of the L.A. Rebellion, Zeinabu irene Davis for a screening of the new 4K restoration of her powerful debut feature film Compensation presented in collaboration with the UCLA Film & Television Archive. Davis will be joined in conversation by screenwriter Marc Chéry, artist and filmmaker Alison O’Daniel, and moderator Maya S. Cade from the Black Film Archive.

Join us for a rare screening of Zeinabu irene Davis’ compelling and lyrical portrait of both the Black and deaf struggle in America through a dual narrative bookending the twentieth century. Michelle A. Banks and John Earl Jenks play dual roles, skillfully embodying two separate couples of a deaf woman and hearing man in Chicago, in both 1910 and the 1990s. Visionary, tender, and spellbinding, Davis deftly intertwines these two intimate love stories for a beautiful film that speaks to love, racism, connection, and communication in a lovely and innovative way.

About the Restoration:

Guided and approved by director Zeinabu irene Davis, this 4K digital restoration was undertaken by the Criterion Collection, the UCLA Film and Television Archive, and Wimmin with a Mission Productions—in conjunction with the Sundance Institute—from a scan of the 16 mm original camera negative. The 5.1 surround soundtrack was mastered from digital audio tapes by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. The new open captions were designed by Alison O’Daniel, in collaboration with the Compensation caption creative team.