History has seen many fascinating documentaries about photographers: Vivian Maier. Perhaps the documentary format truly excels when showcasing particularly vivid photographs. Now we have a new remarkable instance, from writer-director Yemi Bamiro, documenting the impressive life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, performer and African American activist who embodied a special cultural-activist approach.
Alongside his family member Elombe, he effectively created the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” in the 1960s by photographing the Grandassa Models in the cultural epicenter: youthful Black women who transformed into the sensational standard for visual appeal, abandoning typical beauty standards and the predominant white standard of femininity.
The Impact of a Revolutionary Slogan
The iconic phrase became a radical rallying cry, an inspired three-word declaration for progress. Just to assert that people of color were beautiful emerged as a empowering influence in culture, social movements and creative expression. The artist grew into integral to the social justice African diaspora movement by capturing images of the sports icon leading up to his legendary Rumble in the Jungle in that era.
He became the official image creator for the Jackson 5's African tour, and subsequently became the house photographer for the iconic Harlem venue, assembling an extraordinary archive of black musicians. Alongside his brother, he emerged as the key organizer behind securing Nelson Mandela to appear in Harlem.
Personal Journey
Brathwaite's son the younger Brathwaite shares the family's quest to achieve proper recognition for his family heritage after he was unjustly excluded in the nation's capital's National Museum of African American History and Culture, opened by the political leader in this century.
The feature further reveals the inexpressibly painful inspiration of Brathwaite's interest in photography: the horrendous photographs of the lynching martyr, the young Black tragic figure whose grieving mother boldly requested an open coffin so the horrific reality of bigoted brutality would not be hidden.
From Tragedy to Empowerment
Through this image of violence, the visionary found a form of transformative realization that directed him toward visual representations of aspiration. His work beautifully expressed empowering beauty and typically subtle in messaging: he established a innovative symbolic representation of pride upon which social causes could gather.
The documentary stands as an captivating chronicle of creative genius that continues to empower decades later.
