Through sensitive and poetic approaches, this program explores the relationship of people living with disabilities to the world around them, revealing their intimate and singular perceptions of reality. Three documentary shorts by Sarah Seené will enter into dialogue with Compensation by Zeinabu irene Davis (1999), a feature film in which Deaf perspectives resonate with African American history. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Sarah Seené.
COMPENSATION
Zeinabu irene Davis | 1999 | United States | 93 min | English, American Sign Language | Trailer
Within the African American community unfold two Chicago love stories—one set at the dawn of the 20th century and the other in the present day—featuring a deaf woman and a hearing man. Played by the same actors, both couples face the specter of death when the man is diagnosed with tuberculosis in the early story, and the woman with AIDS in the contemporary one.
LUMEN
Sarah Seené | 2019 | Québec (Canada) | 2 min | French | Trailer
“Lumen” (meaning “light” in Latin) is a sensory film shot on Super-8 that portrays a young girl with oculocutaneous albinism. Despite the hypersensitivity caused by this genetic disease, the depigmentation of her skin and eyes gives her an extraordinary aura.
DISAPPEARING SILENCE
Sarah Seené | 2020 | Québec (Canada) | 3 min | French | Trailer
A self-portrait shot in Super8 depicting the sensorial chaos of living with permanent tinnitus as infinite waves.
ORBITS
Sarah Seené | 2025 | Québec (Canada) | 23 min | français | Trailer
Drawing from a constellation of highly textured analogue images and a rich tapestry of soothing sound, Orbits journeys into the sensorial depths of Marie-Christine’s memory, after losing her sight some years ago.
Tickets for this screening are priced at a flat rate of $12.
- Thursday, Jul 30
18:00 - EST
With Sarah Seené in attendance
FST - French subtitles
EST - English subtitles
E/FST - Bilingual subtitles
