History has seen countless compelling films highlighting image makers: Martin Parr. Perhaps the documentary format truly excels when showcasing particularly vivid visual compositions. Now arrives another outstanding example, directed by filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the extraordinary life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, performer and African American activist who exemplified a distinct cultural-activist perspective.
In partnership with his family member Elombe, he pioneered the expression “Black Is Beautiful” during the mid-century era by photographing the African American women in Harlem: emerging women of color who became the sensational template for aesthetics, rejecting typical beauty standards and the predominant Caucasian model of female beauty.
The Influence of Three Words
The iconic phrase evolved into a powerful unifying message, an inspired concise declaration for transformation. Simply declaring that African Americans possessed beauty became a transformative force in society, politics and creative expression. Brathwaite became integral to the Black power pan-Africanist struggle by documenting the sports icon prior to his historic championship fight in 1974.
He became the primary visual documentarian for the Jackson 5's international performances, and subsequently assumed the role of the resident artist for the iconic cultural institution, building an incredible portfolio of African American artists. Alongside his brother, he was the key organizer behind bringing the South African leader to appear in Harlem.
Family Legacy
His son the younger Brathwaite is interviewed the their quest to achieve due acknowledgment for his parent's achievements after he was unjustly ignored in Washington DC's Smithsonian institution, inaugurated by the political leader in this century.
The film additionally explores the profoundly sorrowful genesis of the artist's passion for image making: the horrendous pictures of Emmett Till, the adolescent Black tragic figure whose bereaved parent courageously demanded an public viewing so the horrific reality of racist violence would not be hidden.
Through Darkness to Hope
In this vision of violence, the visionary found a type of profound understanding that led him toward photographs of beauty. His images beautifully expressed empowering beauty and frequently subtle in messaging: he established a innovative symbolic representation of pride upon which social causes could gather.
It is an inspiring testament of creative genius that continues to inspire through the years.
