History has seen numerous engaging features highlighting photographers: Vivian Maier. Perhaps cinematic storytelling naturally comes alive when showcasing remarkably striking still images. Now arrives another remarkable case, by creator Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the remarkable career of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, performer and civil rights advocate who represented a unique politico-aesthetic perspective.
In partnership with his family member Elombe, he virtually invented the expression “Black Is Beautiful” during the mid-century era by capturing the Harlem models in Harlem: emerging women of color who emerged as the groundbreaking template for visual appeal, moving beyond conventional beauty standards and the usual Caucasian model of femininity.
The Influence of a Revolutionary Slogan
The iconic phrase evolved into a transformative rallying cry, an brilliant memorable declaration for change. Just declaring that African Americans were beautiful emerged as a liberating influence in culture, activism and the arts. Brathwaite became part of the social justice African diaspora struggle by photographing the sports icon leading up to his historic Rumble in the Jungle in 1974.
He was appointed the exclusive visual documentarian for the band's continental journey, and eventually was named the official visual chronicler for the legendary Harlem venue, assembling an amazing portfolio of musical pioneers. Alongside his brother, he emerged as the driving force behind securing the South African leader to address the public in New York.
Family Legacy
Brathwaite's son the younger Brathwaite shares the their quest to achieve appropriate credit for his parent's achievements after he was hurtfully excluded in Washington DC's Smithsonian institution, opened by Barack Obama in 2016.
The film also recounts the inexpressibly painful genesis of the artist's interest in image making: the disturbing photographs of the lynching martyr, the adolescent civil rights murder victim whose grieving mother courageously insisted on an uncovered casket so the violent nature of racial hatred would not be hidden.
Through Darkness to Empowerment
Through this image of violence, the visionary encountered a type of anti-epiphany that directed him toward visual representations of beauty. His images beautifully expressed celebratory strength and often nuanced in approach: he curated a new visual language of strength upon which social causes could unite.
The documentary stands as an exhilarating testament of creative genius that persists in empower through the years.
