Zeinabu irene Davis’s debut feature film takes place across two parallel narratives set in Chicago at the beginning and end of the 20th century. Each tale is a love story between a Deaf woman and a hearing man and their navigations of not only the language barrier between American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken English but the racism, audism, and other obstacles in their lives. Using ASL as well as filmmaking devices from the silent film era, Compensation imagines an inventive approach to a bilingual film that makes visible the creative efforts and necessary work of accessibility, essential to meaningful communication. 1999, 16mm, b/w, US, in English with subtitles and American Sign Language, 95 min.
16mm collection print courtesy the UCLA Film & Television Archive.
A conversation with Alison O’Daniel and Zeinabu irene Davis follows the screening.
Bio
Zeinabu irene Davis (b. 1961, Philadelphia) is a filmmaker and professor at the University of California, San Diego. In 1985, she received an MA in African studies at UCLA and earned an MFA in film and television production in 1989. Davis is known as one of the graduates and filmmakers of the L.A. Rebellion. Davis directed Cycles (1989), an experimental short that earned awards from the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame and the National Black Programming Consortium. Her following works, A Period Piece (1991), A Powerful Thang (1991), Mother of a River (1995) and Compensation (1999), garnered prizes from numerous organizations and festivals, including the Gordon Parks Award for Best Director from the Independent Feature Project. Spirits of Rebellion (2015), a documentary gathering fellow L.A. Rebellion filmmakers to explore topics in African American film, earned Best Documentary Feature Film at the 2017 San Diego Film Awards. She has received numerous grants and fellowships from such sources as the Rockefeller Foundation, the American Film Institute, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Accessibility
Accessibility
This film is in English with subtitles and American Sign Language. The introduction and Q&A will have ASL interpretation.
Assistive Technology
Assistive listening devices (ALDs) are available at the Main Lobby desk for most film screenings. ALDs play the film’s audio track through headphones. Each side has a separate and adjustable volume setting. Call 612-375-7564 or email access@walkerart.org for the availability of assistive technology at this event.
Seating
For seating that doesn’t require the use of stairs, enter the Cinema through the left-side door. Our accessible seating is situated at the back of the house, with clear views of the screen and stage. The area is elevated slightly above the tiered seating and can accommodate two wheelchairs. As space is limited, reservations are encouraged. Please call 612-375-7564 or email access@walkerart.org for availability.
Restrooms
Accessible restrooms near the Cinema are located in two areas. There are two all-gender, single-user restrooms with manual doors to the left of the restaurant, across from the Cinema. There are gendered, multi-stall restrooms behind the Main Lobby desk, accessible by elevator (level LL).
Parking
Vineland Place parking meters provide four-hour options for vehicles with disability license plates or certificates.
Accessible parking in the underground ramp is designated near the elevator and entrance. To get to the Cinema from the parking ramp, follow the P1 (level 1) hallway (look for the large “WALKER” sign) into the Main Lobby.
Services such as Metro Mobility should be instructed to drop off and pick up passengers at 725 Vineland Place. There is a disability transfer zone by the main entrance on Vineland Place.
Questions?
For information or to request accommodations, call 612-375-7564 or email access@walkerart.org. For more information about accessibility at the Walker, visit our Access page.
Contact the box office at 612-375-7600 for day of event questions.
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