History has seen countless engaging films highlighting image makers: Martin Parr. Maybe the film medium particularly shines when presenting particularly vivid visual compositions. Now we have another exceptional case, directed by filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, exploring the impressive life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, artist and civil rights advocate who embodied a distinct cultural-activist perspective.
Alongside his sibling Elombe, he pioneered the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” during the 1960s by photographing the Grandassa Models in the cultural epicenter: emerging African American women who transformed into the sensational archetype for visual appeal, rejecting traditional cosmetic products and the usual Caucasian ideal of womanhood.
The Impact of a Simple Phrase
The iconic phrase became a transformative call to action, an inspired concise prose poem for progress. Just declaring that black people radiated beauty proved to be a liberating power in art, activism and creative expression. The photographer became integral to the Black power African diaspora cause by capturing images of Muhammad Ali prior to his legendary championship fight in that era.
He served as the primary image creator for the band's African tour, and later became the house photographer for the iconic Apollo theatre, assembling an incredible collection of African American artists. Alongside his sibling, he emerged as the driving force behind bringing the South African leader to appear in the community.
Historical Recognition
His son the younger Brathwaite recounts the their mission to achieve appropriate credit for his father's legacy after he was unjustly overlooked in the prestigious National Museum of African American History and Culture, inaugurated by the political leader in this century.
This documentary additionally explores the profoundly sorrowful origin of the artist's interest in visual storytelling: the horrendous images of the lynching martyr, the teenage civil rights murder victim whose mourning family member defiantly insisted on an uncovered casket so the brutal truth of racist violence could not be hidden.
Through Darkness to Beauty
In this vision of horror, Brathwaite discovered a form of transformative realization that led him toward images of aspiration. His images were eloquent of empowering beauty and often subtle in messaging: he established a fresh visual language of empowerment through which activist groups could unite.
This represents an inspiring chronicle of artistic vision that still resonate across generations.
