We have witnessed many engaging documentaries focusing on image makers: Tish Murtha. Maybe cinematic storytelling particularly shines when showcasing particularly vivid still images. Now we have another outstanding case, directed by creator Yemi Bamiro, documenting the impressive life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, artist and social justice champion who represented a special artistic-political perspective.
In partnership with his family member Elombe, he virtually invented the expression “Black Is Beautiful” in the mid-century era by documenting the Grandassa Models in the cultural epicenter: youthful women of color who transformed into the groundbreaking archetype for aesthetics, rejecting traditional grooming practices and the usual Eurocentric ideal of womanhood.
The Power of a Simple Phrase
This powerful statement transformed into a radical unifying message, an brilliant memorable declaration for progress. Simply stating that black people possessed beauty emerged as a empowering power in society, social movements and creative expression. Brathwaite emerged as a key figure in the social justice global Black cause by photographing Muhammad Ali before his legendary Rumble in the Jungle in that era.
He became the exclusive visual documentarian for the musical group's international performances, and eventually became the resident artist for the iconic Harlem venue, creating an extraordinary portfolio of black musicians. Together with Elombe, he emerged as the driving force behind securing the anti-apartheid icon to appear in Harlem.
Family Legacy
The photographer's offspring his namesake shares the their quest to ensure proper recognition for his family heritage after he was hurtfully overlooked in the prestigious National Museum of African American History and Culture, inaugurated by Barack Obama in this century.
The film also recounts the profoundly sorrowful genesis of Brathwaite's passion for photography: the disturbing photographs of the lynching martyr, the young civil rights murder victim whose mourning family member defiantly insisted on an public viewing so the horrific reality of racist violence would not be concealed.
From Tragedy to Beauty
From this image of tragedy, Brathwaite found a form of transformative realization that led him toward photographs of aspiration. His work powerfully conveyed empowering beauty and typically subtle in messaging: he developed a innovative symbolic representation of empowerment around which political movements could mobilize.
It is an exhilarating chronicle of creative genius that continues to empower across generations.
