History has seen countless fascinating films focusing on photographers: Martin Parr. Maybe the film medium truly excels when displaying exceptionally powerful photographs. Now arrives another exceptional example, directed by writer-director Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the impressive life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, performer and civil rights advocate who embodied a unique politico-aesthetic perspective.
Together with his sibling Elombe, he effectively created the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” during the mid-century era by capturing the Harlem models in New York: young women of color who emerged as the transformative template for visual appeal, abandoning traditional beauty standards and the predominant Eurocentric ideal of female beauty.
The Impact of a Revolutionary Slogan
This powerful statement evolved into a radical call to action, an inspired memorable declaration for change. Just declaring that black people radiated beauty proved to be a transformative influence in culture, social movements and creative expression. Brathwaite became part of the Black power pan-Africanist struggle by documenting Muhammad Ali prior to his legendary championship fight in 1974.
He became the official image creator for the band's international performances, and subsequently assumed the role of the official visual chronicler for the historic Apollo theatre, creating an amazing archive of African American artists. Together with his brother, he was the central figure behind bringing the South African leader to speak in New York.
Historical Recognition
Brathwaite's son Kwame Jr shares the family's campaign to ensure proper recognition for his parent's achievements after he was hurtfully ignored in Washington DC's Smithsonian institution, opened by Barack Obama in 2016.
The feature further reveals the profoundly sorrowful inspiration of the photographer's dedication to image making: the shocking pictures of the young victim, the teenage Black tragic figure whose mourning family member courageously insisted on an public viewing so the horrific reality of bigoted brutality would not be covered up.
Through Darkness to Empowerment
Through this vision of tragedy, Brathwaite encountered a type of anti-epiphany that guided him toward images of community. His work were eloquent of celebratory strength and often subtle in messaging: he established a fresh iconography of pride through which activist groups could mobilize.
This represents an inspiring record of artistic vision that continues to empower decades later.
