History has seen countless fascinating features about image makers: Martin Parr. Maybe cinematic storytelling particularly shines when presenting particularly vivid still images. Now we have a new exceptional instance, by filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, exploring the extraordinary career of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, musician and African American activist who exemplified a unique politico-aesthetic perspective.
Alongside his sibling Elombe, he virtually invented the expression “Black Is Beautiful” in the mid-century era by capturing the Grandassa Models in Harlem: emerging women of color who transformed into the transformative standard for beauty, rejecting typical beauty standards and the usual Caucasian model of womanhood.
The Influence of a Simple Phrase
The iconic phrase evolved into a powerful call to action, an inspired memorable declaration for transformation. Merely to assert that African Americans possessed beauty became a liberating power in art, activism and culture. The artist emerged as part of the social justice global Black movement by photographing the sports icon leading up to his iconic championship fight in 1974.
He served as the primary image creator for the band's African tour, and subsequently assumed the role of the house photographer for the iconic cultural institution, building an amazing collection of African American artists. In collaboration with his brother, he was the driving force behind bringing the South African leader to address the public in the community.
Historical Recognition
Brathwaite's son the younger Brathwaite shares the family's campaign to ensure appropriate credit for his parent's achievements after he was hurtfully ignored in Washington DC's National Museum of African American History and Culture, established by Barack Obama in recent years.
The film additionally explores the profoundly sorrowful genesis of Brathwaite's interest in photography: the horrendous pictures of the lynching martyr, the teenage civil rights murder victim whose mourning family member courageously insisted on an open coffin so the brutal truth of racial hatred would not be covered up.
Through Darkness to Hope
From this representation of horror, the visionary encountered a form of transformative realization that directed him toward images of beauty. His images were eloquent of community pride and frequently nuanced in approach: he established a fresh visual language of empowerment upon which social causes could unite.
The documentary stands as an inspiring record of cultural impact that still resonate across generations.
