There have been many engaging documentaries highlighting visual artists: Vivian Maier. It could be the film medium naturally comes alive when presenting particularly vivid visual compositions. Today comes a new outstanding case, directed by creator Yemi Bamiro, exploring the impressive professional journey of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, performer and social justice champion who represented a special politico-aesthetic perspective.
Alongside his family member Elombe, he effectively created the expression “Black Is Beautiful” throughout the sixties by capturing the African American women in New York: youthful Black women who transformed into the groundbreaking standard for aesthetics, rejecting typical grooming practices and the established Eurocentric model of womanhood.
The Power of a Simple Phrase
Black Is Beautiful evolved into a transformative call to action, an visionary three-word manifesto for progress. Simply stating that African Americans radiated beauty proved to be a empowering influence in art, social movements and creative expression. Brathwaite became integral to the civil rights global Black struggle by photographing Muhammad Ali leading up to his legendary Zaire bout in that era.
He served as the official image creator for the band's international performances, and eventually assumed the role of the resident artist for the historic Apollo theatre, building an incredible portfolio of musical pioneers. Alongside his brother, he emerged as the key organizer behind securing the anti-apartheid icon to address the public in Harlem.
Family Legacy
The photographer's offspring the younger Brathwaite shares the family's quest to ensure appropriate credit for his father's legacy after he was unjustly excluded in the prestigious National Museum of African American History and Culture, established by the political leader in 2016.
The film further reveals the profoundly sorrowful origin of the photographer's passion for visual storytelling: the horrendous photographs of the young victim, the young civil rights tragic figure whose mourning family member boldly demanded an uncovered casket so the violent nature of bigoted brutality could not be covered up.
From Tragedy to Hope
In this representation of tragedy, the visionary found a form of transformative realization that guided him toward images of community. His images beautifully expressed celebratory strength and often nuanced in approach: he developed a new visual language of strength upon which political movements could unite.
This represents an inspiring record of artistic vision that still inspire through the years.
