There have been countless compelling features focusing on photographers: Vivian Maier. Perhaps the documentary format naturally comes alive when showcasing particularly vivid visual compositions. Here arrives a new outstanding case, by filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, exploring the extraordinary career of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, artist and African American activist who represented a special politico-aesthetic approach.
In partnership with his family member Elombe, he pioneered the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” throughout the 1960s by capturing the Harlem models in the cultural epicenter: young African American women who became the groundbreaking template for aesthetics, moving beyond typical cosmetic products and the usual Eurocentric standard of womanhood.
The Impact of Three Words
This powerful statement became a powerful rallying cry, an inspired three-word prose poem for change. Just to assert that people of color possessed beauty emerged as a empowering power in art, politics and creative expression. Brathwaite emerged as a key figure in the social justice African diaspora cause by capturing images of the legendary boxer before his historic Zaire bout in that era.
He became the official image creator for the Jackson 5's African tour, and subsequently was named the resident artist for the iconic cultural institution, assembling an incredible collection of African American artists. Alongside Elombe, he became the key organizer behind bringing Nelson Mandela to appear in New York.
Personal Journey
His son Kwame Jr recounts the their mission to achieve proper recognition for his family heritage after he was hurtfully overlooked in the prestigious cultural museum, established by Barack Obama in 2016.
This documentary also recounts the inexpressibly painful genesis of the photographer's interest in photography: the horrendous photographs of the young victim, the adolescent civil rights tragic figure whose mourning family member boldly insisted on an uncovered casket so the horrific reality of racial hatred might not be concealed.
From Tragedy to Empowerment
In this vision of horror, the visionary encountered a kind of profound understanding that led him toward visual representations of beauty. His photographs were eloquent of community pride and often subtle in messaging: he curated a fresh visual language of pride upon which political movements could gather.
The documentary stands as an exhilarating record of cultural impact that persists in resonate decades later.
