History has seen countless compelling documentaries about photographers: Vivian Maier. Perhaps the film medium truly excels when showcasing remarkably striking photographs. Here we have a new remarkable instance, by writer-director Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the impressive professional journey of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, musician and African American activist who exemplified a distinct cultural-activist vision.
In partnership with his brother Elombe, he virtually invented the expression “Black Is Beautiful” in the mid-century era by photographing the African American women in New York: youthful women of color who transformed into the sensational template for aesthetics, abandoning typical cosmetic products and the usual Caucasian standard of female beauty.
The Influence of a Simple Phrase
The iconic phrase evolved into a radical rallying cry, an brilliant memorable manifesto for transformation. Just to assert that black people radiated beauty proved to be a empowering influence in art, social movements and the arts. The photographer emerged as a key figure in the social justice pan-Africanist movement by capturing images of the sports icon before his legendary championship fight in the seventies.
He became the exclusive visual documentarian for the musical group's international performances, and eventually assumed the role of the official visual chronicler for the legendary cultural institution, assembling an amazing archive of musical pioneers. Together with his sibling, he emerged as the key organizer behind arranging for Nelson Mandela to address the public in the community.
Family Legacy
Brathwaite's son Kwame Jr is interviewed the family's quest to secure proper recognition for his father's legacy after he was painfully ignored in Washington DC's cultural museum, established by the political leader in this century.
This documentary further reveals the deeply tragic inspiration of Brathwaite's dedication to photography: the horrendous images of the lynching martyr, the teenage Black murder victim whose bereaved parent defiantly insisted on an uncovered casket so the violent nature of bigoted brutality could not be hidden.
From Tragedy to Beauty
In this representation of violence, the artist discovered a kind of transformative realization that guided him toward visual representations of aspiration. His images beautifully expressed community pride and typically not overtly political: he established a fresh visual language of pride through which activist groups could unite.
This represents an inspiring record of cultural impact that still empower through the years.
