Inspired by Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poem of the same title, Zeinabu irene Davis’s debut feature explores language, migration, illness, love, and ritual. Like the poem, it illuminates unique Black histories, cultures, and artistry. Starring Michelle A. Banks and John Earl Jelks, the film follows two couples in different time periods between the early and late 20th century — one at its beginning, the other at its end. Both couples grapple with their emotions, the tensions between Deaf and hearing experiences, and the toll of structural racism on Black lives during major medical epidemics. Compensation is shot in luminous black-and-white and incorporates a rich trove of historical photos, an original ragtime score, and title cards. The film evokes both a sense of tragedy and a hopefulness for life that remains persistent in the hearts of Black Americans today. (NYFF)

For this digital restoration of the film, newly created open captions have been implemented, designed by Alison O’Daniel (director of The Tuba Thieves, opening film of Courtisane festival 2024) in collaboration with the Compensation Caption Creative Team.

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New 4K digital restoration, supervised and approved by director Zeinabu irene Davis, in collaboration with the UCLA Film & Television Archive and Wimmin with a Mission Productions, and in conjunction with the Sundance Institute.