There have been many fascinating films about photographers: Martin Parr. It could be the documentary format particularly shines when showcasing particularly vivid visual compositions. Here we have another outstanding case, from filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, documenting the remarkable career of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, artist and African American activist who embodied a special cultural-activist approach.
In partnership with his family member Elombe, he effectively created the expression “Black Is Beautiful” in the sixties by photographing the Harlem models in Harlem: youthful Black women who emerged as the transformative standard for aesthetics, rejecting typical cosmetic products and the usual white ideal of womanhood.
The Impact of Three Words
Black Is Beautiful transformed into a powerful call to action, an visionary three-word prose poem for progress. Simply declaring that African Americans possessed beauty became a transformative influence in culture, politics and creative expression. Brathwaite became part of the civil rights global Black movement by documenting Muhammad Ali leading up to his legendary championship fight in the seventies.
He became the official photographer for the Jackson 5's international performances, and later was named the resident artist for the iconic cultural institution, building an amazing collection of musical pioneers. Alongside his brother, he emerged as the key organizer behind arranging for the South African leader to speak in New York.
Personal Journey
His son the younger Brathwaite is interviewed the personal campaign to secure appropriate credit for his parent's achievements after he was painfully ignored in the prestigious National Museum of African American History and Culture, inaugurated by Barack Obama in recent years.
The film additionally explores the inexpressibly painful origin of the artist's interest in photography: the disturbing images of the young victim, the adolescent African American tragic figure whose bereaved parent courageously insisted on an open coffin so the brutal truth of racial hatred could not be concealed.
From Tragedy to Beauty
Through this image of tragedy, the visionary discovered a form of profound understanding that guided him toward photographs of aspiration. His photographs were eloquent of celebratory strength and often nuanced in approach: he developed a fresh symbolic representation of pride around which political movements could gather.
The documentary stands as an exhilarating chronicle of creative genius that continues to resonate across generations.
