We have witnessed countless compelling films highlighting image makers: Martin Parr. It could be cinematic storytelling naturally comes alive when presenting remarkably striking visual compositions. Now we have one more outstanding case, by filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, documenting the remarkable career of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, artist and civil rights advocate who exemplified a special politico-aesthetic vision.
Alongside his family member Elombe, he pioneered the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” during the sixties by documenting the African American women in Harlem: young African American women who became the groundbreaking archetype for beauty, moving beyond conventional beauty standards and the usual Eurocentric model of femininity.
The Influence of a Simple Phrase
The iconic phrase evolved into a powerful rallying cry, an inspired three-word manifesto for progress. Simply declaring that black people radiated beauty emerged as a transformative power in art, social movements and culture. Brathwaite grew into integral to the social justice pan-Africanist struggle by capturing images of the sports icon prior to his legendary Rumble in the Jungle in the seventies.
He became the official visual documentarian for the musical group's African tour, and eventually was named the official visual chronicler for the iconic Harlem venue, creating an amazing portfolio of musical pioneers. In collaboration with Elombe, he was the central figure behind bringing the anti-apartheid icon to appear in New York.
Personal Journey
Brathwaite's son his namesake is interviewed the family's quest to ensure appropriate credit for his family heritage after he was painfully excluded in Washington DC's cultural museum, opened by the former president in 2016.
The film additionally explores the inexpressibly painful genesis of the artist's passion for visual storytelling: the disturbing images of the young victim, the adolescent civil rights tragic figure whose mourning family member defiantly demanded an public viewing so the horrific reality of racial hatred might not be covered up.
Amidst Sorrow to Empowerment
Through this vision of tragedy, the visionary encountered a kind of anti-epiphany that led him toward photographs of aspiration. His photographs beautifully expressed community pride and typically nuanced in approach: he curated a innovative iconography of empowerment through which activist groups could unite.
It is an inspiring chronicle of creative genius that continues to inspire through the years.
