There have been many fascinating documentaries about image makers: Martin Parr. Perhaps the documentary format naturally comes alive when presenting exceptionally powerful visual compositions. Here comes one more remarkable instance, from filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, documenting the extraordinary professional journey of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, artist and social justice champion who represented a distinct cultural-activist approach.
Together with his brother Elombe, he virtually invented the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” during the mid-century era by photographing the African American women in Harlem: young African American women who became the transformative template for aesthetics, moving beyond traditional beauty standards and the established white model of femininity.
The Power of a Revolutionary Slogan
The iconic phrase evolved into a powerful unifying message, an visionary memorable declaration for change. Merely declaring that African Americans radiated beauty emerged as a empowering power in art, activism and creative expression. Brathwaite emerged as a key figure in the social justice global Black cause by capturing images of Muhammad Ali prior to his historic championship fight in the seventies.
He became the exclusive visual documentarian for the band's African tour, and subsequently became the resident artist for the iconic Harlem venue, building an extraordinary archive of black musicians. In collaboration with his sibling, he was the driving force behind arranging for the South African leader to address the public in New York.
Personal Journey
Brathwaite's son his namesake is interviewed the family's campaign to secure proper recognition for his father's legacy after he was hurtfully overlooked in Washington DC's cultural museum, opened by the political leader in 2016.
The film additionally explores the profoundly sorrowful inspiration of Brathwaite's passion for image making: the shocking images of the lynching martyr, the young civil rights murder victim whose mourning family member boldly demanded an open coffin so the violent nature of racist violence might not be concealed.
From Tragedy to Empowerment
From this representation of violence, the artist encountered a form of profound understanding that led him toward images of community. His images were eloquent of community pride and typically not overtly political: he developed a fresh symbolic representation of pride through which political movements could mobilize.
This represents an exhilarating record of creative genius that persists in empower through the years.
