There have been many fascinating features highlighting photographers: Martin Parr. Maybe the documentary format truly excels when showcasing particularly vivid still images. Today arrives another remarkable example, by filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the extraordinary career of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, musician and social justice champion who represented a special politico-aesthetic approach.
In partnership with his brother Elombe, he pioneered the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” in the sixties by photographing the African American women in Harlem: young women of color who became the groundbreaking standard for visual appeal, rejecting typical grooming practices and the predominant Caucasian standard of femininity.
The Power of a Simple Phrase
This powerful statement evolved into a powerful call to action, an visionary concise declaration for progress. Just to assert that black people were beautiful became a empowering force in culture, social movements and culture. The artist emerged as a key figure in the civil rights pan-Africanist struggle by capturing images of the legendary boxer prior to his iconic Zaire bout in that era.
He became the primary visual documentarian for the Jackson 5's international performances, and subsequently became the house photographer for the iconic Harlem venue, assembling an incredible archive of black musicians. In collaboration with Elombe, he became the key organizer behind securing the South African leader to address the public in New York.
Family Legacy
His son his namesake is interviewed the family's campaign to ensure proper recognition for his family heritage after he was painfully excluded in the prestigious National Museum of African American History and Culture, inaugurated by the political leader in recent years.
This documentary also recounts the inexpressibly painful inspiration of the artist's interest in visual storytelling: the horrendous pictures of Emmett Till, the adolescent civil rights murder victim whose mourning family member defiantly demanded an public viewing so the brutal truth of racist violence could not be covered up.
Amidst Sorrow to Hope
Through this image of horror, the visionary found a form of anti-epiphany that led him toward images of community. His work were eloquent of celebratory strength and frequently not overtly political: he established a new visual language of empowerment around which political movements could mobilize.
The documentary stands as an exhilarating testament of cultural impact that still empower across generations.
