There have been numerous fascinating films focusing on visual artists: Tish Murtha. Perhaps the film medium particularly shines when presenting remarkably striking visual compositions. Now comes a new remarkable case, by writer-director Yemi Bamiro, documenting the remarkable career of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, performer and social justice champion who represented a distinct politico-aesthetic approach.
Together with his family member Elombe, he virtually invented the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” during the sixties by capturing the Harlem models in Harlem: young African American women who became the sensational template for visual appeal, abandoning traditional grooming practices and the usual white standard of femininity.
The Influence of Three Words
This powerful statement transformed into a radical unifying message, an visionary memorable declaration for change. Simply stating that African Americans were beautiful became a empowering influence in society, activism and creative expression. Brathwaite grew into part of the social justice pan-Africanist movement by documenting the legendary boxer before his legendary Rumble in the Jungle in 1974.
He served as the exclusive visual documentarian for the musical group's African tour, and subsequently became the house photographer for the iconic Harlem venue, assembling an extraordinary collection of African American artists. In collaboration with his brother, he became the key organizer behind securing Nelson Mandela to appear in New York.
Personal Journey
The photographer's offspring his namesake shares the family's mission to secure proper recognition for his parent's achievements after he was unjustly excluded in Washington DC's cultural museum, established by Barack Obama in this century.
The feature also recounts the profoundly sorrowful genesis of the artist's passion for photography: the shocking pictures of the young victim, the teenage African American tragic figure whose grieving mother courageously requested an uncovered casket so the horrific reality of racial hatred could not be hidden.
Through Darkness to Hope
Through this image of horror, the visionary found a form of transformative realization that directed him toward visual representations of community. His images beautifully expressed empowering beauty and often subtle in messaging: he established a innovative iconography of pride around which social causes could gather.
The documentary stands as an captivating record of creative genius that continues to empower decades later.
