Zeinabu irene Davis
Directing
Biography
Zeinabu irene Davis (born April 13, 1961) is an American filmmaker and professor of the Department of Communication at the University of California, San Diego. Her works in film include narrative, documentary and experimental film. Born in Philadelphia, Zeinabu irene Davis, gravitated towards arts, "theater and education" (Field et. al, 19). With a Catholic school background, Davis studied at Brown University, then later travelled to Kenya, which furthered her interest in African American Studies. Furthermore, she pursued her first master's degree in 1983 focusing on African studies, later receiving a master of fine arts in film and video production both from UCLA in 1989. 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. She has taught at many renowned colleges such as Antioch College and Northwestern University, but has more recently moved to teach at UC San Diego, where she currently serves as Professor of Communications. As a filmmaker, her films have been categorized as belonging to the genre of Black feminism due to the ways she incorporates the unique experiences of African American women.
Known For
The life of a deaf African American woman in the early 1900s parallels with another living in the 1990s.
Compensation
In this poignant story set in the 1850s, a young slave girl befriends a magical woman in the woods called Mother of the River. Through their friendship the young girl learns about independence, honor, humility and respect for others. MOTHER OF THE RIVER is a rare portrayal of slavery from a young woman's perspective.
Mother of the River
Explores the careers of twenty black women working as film directors.
Sisters in Cinema
This innovative drama, set in Ohio, traces an African American couple's search for intimacy and friendship. The spirited, African-identified Yasmine Allen is a writer and single mother who has been dating saxophone teacher Craig Watkins for a month. Wishing to end her self-imposed celibacy following her son's birth, Yasmine has reached a turning point in the relationship-but Craig, the Big Lug, wants to take it slow. Sage advice from friends and family members remind them, "sex is a powerful thang." Like her highly acclaimed CYCLES, Davis's film incorporates animation as well as Afro-Haitian dance in a rich exploration of the lives of African Americans.
A Powerful Thang
Luz, a Filipina interpreter, takes a call from Dr. Femi Balogun to discuss the end-of-life options for Remedios, an elderly Filipina woman in the hospital ICU during the early months of the COVID pandemic.
Pandemic Bread
As a woman anxiously awaits her overdue period, she performs African-based rituals of purification. She cleans house and body, and calls on the spirits (Orishas in the Yoruba tradition), receiving much needed inspiration and assurance in a dream. The film combines beautifully intimate still and moving images of the woman’s body and home space, along with playful stop-motion sequences. —Jacqueline Stewart, UCLA Film and Television Archive
Cycles
This charming tale focuses on Willa Ledbetter, an African American middle-aged school teacher in Watts, and her longing to visit her parent's homeland of Cuba. In the face of unexpected political and familial pressures to forego her dream, Willa struggles to make her decision. The title of the film refers to the shape of the island - the crocodile being its national symbol - and the menace socialist Cuba represents to many people in Willa's world.
Crocodile Conspiracy
A portrait of pioneering Black woman trumpet player, Clora Bryant.
Trumpetistically, Clora Bryant
Part of a multi-platform project highlighted by an hour long documentary about black filmmakers who worked and studied at UCLA between 1965 and the 1990s.
Spirits of Rebellion: Black Cinema at UCLA
The second short by Zeinabu irene Davis
Re-creating Black Women's Media Image
Oblique, episodic meditations on the semiotics and ethics of ethnic female identity are accompanied by a blandly cynical narrator explaining how to “win an invitation to the dominant culture.” —Kevin McMahon
Define
In this video work, Zeinabu irene Davis and collaborator Quinta Seward perform a comic rap (old-school style) about the false promises in ads for feminine hygiene products. Lampooning the classic embarrassing scenarios (getting your period at the prom, exercise class or walking down the aisle), the rap’s feminist refrain reminds us that “confidence” comes from within, not from a box or tube. —Jacqueline Stewart
A Period Piece
A hybrid documentary telling the stories of abolitionists Sojourner Truth, Phyllis Wheatley and Marie Joseph Angelique.
Stars of the Northern Sky
Gen-z Tlingit shark siblings uncover hidden family wounds to pave pathways of healing and lead celebrations of cultural reclamation for their community.
Dear Alaska,
First film by Zeinabu irene Davis
Filmstatement
A short film directed by Zeinabu Irene Davis.