There have been numerous compelling films highlighting photographers: Vivian Maier. Perhaps the documentary format naturally comes alive when presenting exceptionally powerful visual compositions. Now we have another exceptional example, from writer-director Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the extraordinary life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, artist and African American activist who exemplified a distinct politico-aesthetic vision.
In partnership with his sibling Elombe, he pioneered the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” during the mid-century era by photographing the Grandassa Models in New York: young women of color who transformed into the groundbreaking standard for visual appeal, moving beyond traditional grooming practices and the usual white standard of womanhood.
The Power of a Revolutionary Slogan
Black Is Beautiful became a transformative call to action, an brilliant memorable prose poem for change. Merely stating that African Americans were beautiful proved to be a transformative power in culture, activism and culture. Brathwaite grew into integral to the civil rights global Black struggle by photographing the legendary boxer leading up to his iconic championship fight in 1974.
He was appointed the exclusive visual documentarian for the band's African tour, and eventually became the official visual chronicler for the legendary Apollo theatre, assembling an amazing portfolio of musical pioneers. Alongside his sibling, he was the key organizer behind arranging for the South African leader to appear in the community.
Personal Journey
The photographer's offspring his namesake is interviewed the their mission to achieve appropriate credit for his father's legacy after he was painfully ignored in the prestigious cultural museum, opened by the political leader in 2016.
The feature further reveals the deeply tragic origin of the artist's passion for image making: the disturbing pictures of the lynching martyr, the teenage Black tragic figure whose grieving mother courageously requested an uncovered casket so the brutal truth of bigoted brutality might not be hidden.
Amidst Sorrow to Hope
From this vision of tragedy, the artist encountered a kind of profound understanding that directed him toward images of community. His photographs were eloquent of community pride and typically not overtly political: he curated a innovative iconography of strength around which social causes could unite.
The documentary stands as an inspiring chronicle of cultural impact that still empower through the years.
