Compensation Trailer: The newly restored independent film classic by Zeinabu Irene Davis is set to debut this February.

Compensation Trailer: The newly restored independent film classic by Zeinabu Irene Davis is set to debut this February.

      Recently designated for preservation in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress due to its significant cultural, artistic, and historical contributions to filmmaking, Zeinabu irene Davis' *Compensation* premiered in 1999 at the Atlanta Film Festival and later screened at Sundance, TIFF, and more, culminating in a new restoration showcased at the New York Film Festival last fall. The film follows the life of a deaf African American woman in the early 1900s, paralleled by the life of another in the 1990s. Janus Films is set to give this landmark film a theatrical release starting February 21 at Film at Lincoln Center. A new trailer has been released in anticipation of the debut.

      Here’s the synopsis: “A landmark of independent cinema, *Compensation* is Zeinabu irene Davis's poignant and ambitious portrayal of the challenges faced by Deaf African Americans and the intricacies of romantic relationships at the turn of the twentieth century. Featuring remarkable dual performances by Michelle A. Banks and John Earl Jelks, the film tells the stories of Malindy and Arthur, a couple in 1910 Chicago, and Malaika and Nico, a couple living in the same city nearly eighty years later. Their narratives are skillfully intertwined through creative uses of archival photographs, an original score combining ragtime and African percussion, and a lyrical, tender editing style. Malindy, a resourceful and intelligent dressmaker, falls in love with Arthur, an illiterate migrant from Mississippi, by the shores of Lake Michigan. In the present, Malaika, an inspired and resilient graphic artist, finds herself drawn to a brash but charming children's librarian, Nico, on the same beach. Each couple navigates the challenges of their respective eras as Black Americans, facing obstacles such as systemic racism and emerging pandemics. *Compensation* remains a pioneering tale of inclusion and visibility, highlighting the social forces and prejudices that hinder love.”

      This 4K digital restoration, guided and approved by director Zeinabu irene Davis, was carried out by The Criterion Collection, The UCLA Film and Television Archive, and Wimmin With a Mission Productions in collaboration with The Sundance Institute, using a scan of the original 16mm camera negative. The 5.1 surround soundtrack was mastered from DAT tapes by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. Newly developed open captions, designed by Alison O’Daniel with the Compensation Caption Creative Team, have been added.

      Watch the trailer and view the poster below, along with a NYFF Q&A.

Compensation Trailer: The newly restored independent film classic by Zeinabu Irene Davis is set to debut this February.

Other articles

Tamashii Nations has revealed a collectible 2-pack featuring Spider-Man Noir and Spider-Ham from Across the Spider-Verse. Tamashii Nations has revealed a collectible 2-pack featuring Spider-Man Noir and Spider-Ham from Across the Spider-Verse. Sideshow and Tamashii Nations have unveiled the Spider-Man Noir and Spider-Ham collectible set from the animated sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which is now available for pre-order at a price of $120. Check it out here… The SPIDER-MAN NOIR and SPIDER-HAM come packaged together from the black and white realm of […] Marcello Mio Review: Chiara Mastroianni Pays Tribute to Her Father in a Toothless Meta Satire Marcello Mio Review: Chiara Mastroianni Pays Tribute to Her Father in a Toothless Meta Satire The notorious cover of New York Magazine's December 2022 edition proclaimed that Hollywood is experiencing a “Nepo Baby Boom,” yet this phenomenon is far from limited to the American film sector. A prime example is Christophe Honoré's humorless insider satire, Marcello Mio, a film that seems as if it was designed based on the title of that article––“She Has 15 Gen X Movie Stars Who Left Us Too Early 15 Gen X Movie Stars Who Left Us Too Early We mourn the loss of these Gen X movie stars who passed away at a young age. 11 Actors Who Have Changed Political Allegiances 11 Actors Who Have Changed Political Allegiances These 11 actors who have changed their political affiliations have altered their views throughout their careers in Hollywood. Jonathan Majors Loses Control in the Initial Trailer for Magazine Dreams Jonathan Majors Loses Control in the Initial Trailer for Magazine Dreams Debuting two years prior at the Sundance Film Festival, Elijah Bynum's Magazine Dreams was slated to mark a significant year for Jonathan Majors, showcasing a powerful performance in the Taxi Driver-inspired drama centered around bodybuilding. Acquired by Searchlight Pictures for a substantial amount, the film was subsequently put on hold following an assault incident. Sundance Review: Rebuilding offers a solemn contemplation on the significance of hope. Sundance Review: Rebuilding offers a solemn contemplation on the significance of hope. We all experience loneliness at times. Even when we are amidst others, we can feel disconnected or alone—immersed in our own thoughts. For some individuals, this sensation is triggered by devastation. The kind that strikes unexpectedly, consumes everything, and leaves destruction in its wake. Many of us witness it on the news, think "how terrible,"

Compensation Trailer: The newly restored independent film classic by Zeinabu Irene Davis is set to debut this February.

Recently designated for preservation at the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress as a film that signifies significant cultural, artistic, and historical accomplishments in cinema, Zeinabu Irene Davis' Compensation first premiered in 1999 at the Atlanta Film Festival and subsequently screened at Sundance, TIFF, and other venues, culminating in a