We have witnessed numerous engaging documentaries focusing on image makers: Martin Parr. Perhaps the documentary format truly excels when presenting remarkably striking still images. Now comes another exceptional case, directed by writer-director Yemi Bamiro, documenting the impressive career of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, performer and African American activist who embodied a unique artistic-political approach.
In partnership with his sibling Elombe, he effectively created the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” in the mid-century era by documenting the Harlem models in Harlem: emerging Black women who emerged as the transformative archetype for visual appeal, moving beyond traditional grooming practices and the usual Caucasian ideal of womanhood.
The Power of a Revolutionary Slogan
The iconic phrase evolved into a powerful rallying cry, an visionary concise prose poem for progress. Merely to assert that African Americans were beautiful proved to be a transformative influence in society, politics and culture. The photographer grew into integral to the civil rights African diaspora cause by photographing the sports icon before his legendary championship fight in 1974.
He served as the official image creator for the band's continental journey, and later was named the official visual chronicler for the historic cultural institution, assembling an extraordinary archive of African American artists. Together with his sibling, he became the central figure behind securing the anti-apartheid icon to speak in the community.
Historical Recognition
Brathwaite's son his namesake shares the family's quest to ensure appropriate credit for his family heritage after he was painfully excluded in the nation's capital's National Museum of African American History and Culture, established by Barack Obama in this century.
The film also recounts the deeply tragic inspiration of Brathwaite's interest in image making: the disturbing pictures of the young victim, the young Black lynching victim whose bereaved parent defiantly requested an uncovered casket so the brutal truth of bigoted brutality would not be concealed.
Amidst Sorrow to Empowerment
In this representation of horror, the artist encountered a form of transformative realization that led him toward visual representations of beauty. His photographs were eloquent of empowering beauty and frequently subtle in messaging: he established a new symbolic representation of empowerment upon which activist groups could gather.
This represents an inspiring testament of artistic vision that still inspire through the years.
