History has seen countless compelling features focusing on visual artists: Tish Murtha. Maybe the film medium naturally comes alive when displaying exceptionally powerful visual compositions. Here we have one more outstanding instance, directed by filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the impressive career of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, performer and social justice champion who exemplified a unique artistic-political perspective.
Alongside his brother Elombe, he effectively created the expression “Black Is Beautiful” in the sixties by photographing the Harlem models in New York: youthful Black women who emerged as the groundbreaking standard for beauty, abandoning conventional cosmetic products and the established Eurocentric standard of femininity.
The Impact of a Simple Phrase
Black Is Beautiful transformed into a transformative unifying message, an brilliant memorable declaration for transformation. Merely to assert that black people possessed beauty became a empowering power in society, social movements and creative expression. Brathwaite emerged as integral to the civil rights African diaspora cause by capturing images of Muhammad Ali leading up to his historic championship fight in 1974.
He served as the official photographer for the musical group's African tour, and later assumed the role of the resident artist for the iconic cultural institution, building an incredible archive of musical pioneers. Alongside Elombe, he became the central figure behind arranging for the South African leader to appear in New York.
Historical Recognition
Brathwaite's son the younger Brathwaite recounts the family's quest to ensure appropriate credit for his parent's achievements after he was unjustly ignored in the prestigious Smithsonian institution, inaugurated by Barack Obama in this century.
The film further reveals the deeply tragic genesis of the photographer's interest in visual storytelling: the horrendous pictures of the lynching martyr, the young Black tragic figure whose bereaved parent courageously insisted on an uncovered casket so the violent nature of racist violence would not be covered up.
Amidst Sorrow to Empowerment
In this representation of horror, Brathwaite discovered a type of transformative realization that led him toward images of community. His work were eloquent of community pride and typically subtle in messaging: he curated a innovative visual language of empowerment around which social causes could unite.
The documentary stands as an inspiring record of creative genius that continues to empower decades later.