Last week, I had the privilege of sitting down with UC San Diego communication professor Zeinabu irene Davis, whose independent 1999 drama film “Compensation” was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry this past December. Davis’ “Compensation” follows the parallel experiences of two Black women who are deaf as they navigate romantic relationships with hearing men. Rebellion — also known as the Los Angeles School of Black Filmmakers — a collective of Black filmmakers who pioneered a cinema practice that centered Black experiences and stories, offering an alternative to the dominant white narrative. “It was important to bring people from the Chicago community who were deaf into the process early on,” Davis explained. Outside of her recent recognition for “Compensation,” Davis remains busy as ever — both teaching at UCSD and continuing to produce films.