There have been many engaging films focusing on image makers: Martin Parr. Maybe cinematic storytelling naturally comes alive when presenting remarkably striking photographs. Now comes a new outstanding example, from creator Yemi Bamiro, documenting the extraordinary career of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, performer and African American activist who embodied a special politico-aesthetic perspective.
In partnership with his brother Elombe, he effectively created the expression “Black Is Beautiful” during the 1960s by capturing the Harlem models in Harlem: young women of color who became the transformative standard for beauty, moving beyond traditional beauty standards and the predominant Eurocentric model of femininity.
The Impact of Three Words
This powerful statement transformed into a powerful unifying message, an visionary memorable prose poem for progress. Simply declaring that black people were beautiful emerged as a empowering force in culture, activism and culture. The artist grew into integral to the Black power pan-Africanist cause by documenting Muhammad Ali before his historic Rumble in the Jungle in that era.
He was appointed the official visual documentarian for the musical group's African tour, and subsequently became the resident artist for the iconic Harlem venue, creating an extraordinary collection of musical pioneers. Together with his brother, he emerged as the driving force behind arranging for the anti-apartheid icon to address the public in the community.
Historical Recognition
His son the younger Brathwaite recounts the family's quest to ensure proper recognition for his father's legacy after he was painfully ignored in Washington DC's Smithsonian institution, established by the former president in recent years.
This documentary further reveals the inexpressibly painful genesis of the artist's interest in image making: the horrendous images of Emmett Till, the young African American tragic figure whose grieving mother boldly requested an public viewing so the brutal truth of racist violence could not be covered up.
Amidst Sorrow to Empowerment
In this vision of tragedy, Brathwaite discovered a kind of transformative realization that led him toward images of beauty. His images powerfully conveyed empowering beauty and typically not overtly political: he developed a fresh iconography of pride upon which activist groups could unite.
The documentary stands as an captivating chronicle of artistic vision that persists in resonate decades later.
