History has seen many fascinating films highlighting photographers: Vivian Maier. Perhaps cinematic storytelling naturally comes alive when showcasing particularly vivid photographs. Here we have a new exceptional case, from creator Yemi Bamiro, documenting the extraordinary life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, musician and civil rights advocate who embodied a unique politico-aesthetic approach.
In partnership with his brother Elombe, he virtually invented the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” during the mid-century era by photographing the Grandassa Models in Harlem: emerging African American women who became the sensational standard for visual appeal, rejecting conventional beauty standards and the predominant white ideal of womanhood.
The Influence of a Revolutionary Slogan
The iconic phrase evolved into a radical unifying message, an inspired memorable manifesto for change. Merely to assert that black people radiated beauty proved to be a empowering influence in society, social movements and creative expression. Brathwaite became a key figure in the civil rights African diaspora struggle by photographing the sports icon prior to his historic championship fight in the seventies.
He served as the exclusive visual documentarian for the Jackson 5's African tour, and eventually assumed the role of the resident artist for the iconic cultural institution, creating an amazing portfolio of musical pioneers. Together with Elombe, he emerged as the central figure behind arranging for Nelson Mandela to appear in the community.
Historical Recognition
Brathwaite's son the younger Brathwaite shares the family's campaign to secure due acknowledgment for his family heritage after he was unjustly overlooked in the nation's capital's cultural museum, opened by the former president in 2016.
The feature additionally explores the inexpressibly painful inspiration of the artist's dedication to visual storytelling: the shocking photographs of the lynching martyr, the teenage Black murder victim whose bereaved parent boldly insisted on an open coffin so the violent nature of bigoted brutality could not be concealed.
Through Darkness to Beauty
In this image of tragedy, Brathwaite discovered a type of anti-epiphany that guided him toward photographs of aspiration. His work were eloquent of empowering beauty and often nuanced in approach: he curated a innovative iconography of empowerment around which political movements could mobilize.
The documentary stands as an exhilarating testament of artistic vision that persists in empower across generations.
