We have witnessed many fascinating films highlighting image makers: Martin Parr. Perhaps cinematic storytelling truly excels when displaying exceptionally powerful visual compositions. Today we have a new exceptional example, by filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the remarkable career of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, artist and social justice champion who represented a unique artistic-political perspective.
In partnership with his brother Elombe, he virtually invented the expression “Black Is Beautiful” throughout the 1960s by documenting the African American women in Harlem: young African American women who emerged as the sensational archetype for beauty, moving beyond conventional cosmetic products and the established Eurocentric model of femininity.
The Power of a Revolutionary Slogan
Black Is Beautiful transformed into a powerful call to action, an inspired memorable manifesto for change. Simply to assert that African Americans were beautiful proved to be a liberating force in art, politics and creative expression. The artist grew into a key figure in the Black power pan-Africanist struggle by documenting the legendary boxer before his historic championship fight in the seventies.
He was appointed the primary photographer for the musical group's international performances, and eventually became the house photographer for the historic Apollo theatre, building an incredible collection of African American artists. Alongside his sibling, he emerged as the driving force behind securing Nelson Mandela to speak in New York.
Family Legacy
Brathwaite's son the younger Brathwaite shares the personal campaign to achieve proper recognition for his parent's achievements after he was hurtfully excluded in Washington DC's Smithsonian institution, inaugurated by the political leader in this century.
This documentary additionally explores the profoundly sorrowful origin of the artist's passion for image making: the shocking images of Emmett Till, the teenage African American murder victim whose mourning family member courageously demanded an public viewing so the horrific reality of racial hatred might not be hidden.
From Tragedy to Beauty
Through this image of violence, the visionary discovered a form of profound understanding that led him toward photographs of community. His work beautifully expressed community pride and often not overtly political: he established a fresh symbolic representation of pride upon which political movements could unite.
It is an exhilarating chronicle of artistic vision that continues to resonate through the years.
