We have witnessed many compelling documentaries focusing on image makers: Martin Parr. Maybe the documentary format particularly shines when presenting particularly vivid visual compositions. Now comes a new outstanding example, by filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, documenting the impressive life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, musician and social justice champion who exemplified a special politico-aesthetic perspective.
Together with his sibling Elombe, he virtually invented the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” during the sixties by capturing the African American women in Harlem: youthful African American women who transformed into the transformative standard for aesthetics, moving beyond typical cosmetic products and the predominant Caucasian model of female beauty.
The Impact of Three Words
Black Is Beautiful became a powerful rallying cry, an brilliant memorable declaration for change. Just declaring that black people radiated beauty became a empowering power in art, social movements and culture. The artist became integral to the civil rights global Black movement by documenting Muhammad Ali prior to his legendary Rumble in the Jungle in that era.
He became the primary visual documentarian for the musical group's continental journey, and later became the house photographer for the legendary Harlem venue, building an extraordinary portfolio of musical pioneers. In collaboration with Elombe, he was the key organizer behind arranging for Nelson Mandela to address the public in New York.
Personal Journey
Brathwaite's son his namesake shares the family's campaign to ensure proper recognition for his family heritage after he was painfully excluded in the nation's capital's cultural museum, inaugurated by Barack Obama in 2016.
This documentary further reveals the inexpressibly painful genesis of Brathwaite's interest in photography: the disturbing images of the young victim, the adolescent Black tragic figure whose mourning family member defiantly demanded an open coffin so the brutal truth of racist violence could not be covered up.
Amidst Sorrow to Empowerment
Through this representation of horror, the artist encountered a type of profound understanding that directed him toward visual representations of community. His photographs beautifully expressed community pride and often not overtly political: he developed a fresh visual language of empowerment through which political movements could gather.
This represents an inspiring testament of creative genius that continues to resonate through the years.
