History has seen countless engaging films highlighting photographers: Vivian Maier. Maybe the documentary format naturally comes alive when presenting particularly vivid still images. Here we have one more outstanding example, by creator Yemi Bamiro, exploring the impressive professional journey of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, artist and African American activist who embodied a unique politico-aesthetic approach.
Alongside his brother Elombe, he effectively created the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” during the sixties by capturing the Grandassa Models in the cultural epicenter: youthful Black women who became the groundbreaking template for aesthetics, moving beyond conventional beauty standards and the established white standard of femininity.
The Impact of Three Words
The iconic phrase became a transformative call to action, an brilliant concise prose poem for transformation. Just to assert that African Americans radiated beauty proved to be a transformative power in society, activism and the arts. The artist became integral to the civil rights African diaspora movement by capturing images of the legendary boxer leading up to his iconic championship fight in 1974.
He was appointed the primary visual documentarian for the musical group's African tour, and subsequently was named the official visual chronicler for the historic Apollo theatre, assembling an extraordinary portfolio of African American artists. Alongside his sibling, he was the driving force behind securing the South African leader to appear in the community.
Family Legacy
His son the younger Brathwaite shares the family's quest to ensure due acknowledgment for his family heritage after he was painfully ignored in the nation's capital's National Museum of African American History and Culture, inaugurated by the former president in this century.
The feature further reveals the inexpressibly painful origin of the photographer's interest in image making: the shocking images of Emmett Till, the adolescent Black tragic figure whose bereaved parent courageously demanded an open coffin so the violent nature of racist violence would not be covered up.
Through Darkness to Empowerment
From this representation of horror, Brathwaite encountered a form of profound understanding that led him toward photographs of beauty. His work beautifully expressed community pride and typically subtle in messaging: he developed a innovative visual language of pride upon which activist groups could unite.
The documentary stands as an exhilarating chronicle of artistic vision that continues to empower through the years.
