History has seen many compelling films focusing on photographers: Vivian Maier. Perhaps cinematic storytelling truly excels when showcasing exceptionally powerful visual compositions. Today arrives one more exceptional example, by filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, exploring the remarkable career of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, performer and social justice champion who represented a distinct artistic-political perspective.
In partnership with his family member Elombe, he pioneered the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” during the 1960s by documenting the Grandassa Models in Harlem: young women of color who transformed into the sensational standard for beauty, rejecting traditional beauty standards and the usual Caucasian ideal of femininity.
The Impact of Three Words
Black Is Beautiful transformed into a powerful unifying message, an inspired concise manifesto for progress. Simply to assert that African Americans possessed beauty emerged as a transformative power in culture, social movements and culture. The artist emerged as a key figure in the social justice African diaspora struggle by documenting Muhammad Ali before his historic championship fight in that era.
He served as the exclusive photographer for the Jackson 5's African tour, and eventually was named the house photographer for the historic cultural institution, creating an incredible archive of black musicians. Together with his brother, he emerged as the driving force behind bringing the anti-apartheid icon to appear in New York.
Personal Journey
The photographer's offspring his namesake recounts the family's campaign to ensure proper recognition for his father's legacy after he was unjustly ignored in the prestigious Smithsonian institution, opened by the political leader in this century.
This documentary also recounts the deeply tragic genesis of Brathwaite's interest in visual storytelling: the shocking images of Emmett Till, the young civil rights murder victim whose mourning family member courageously insisted on an uncovered casket so the horrific reality of racist violence could not be concealed.
From Tragedy to Beauty
Through this image of violence, Brathwaite found a type of profound understanding that led him toward images of community. His work beautifully expressed community pride and typically subtle in messaging: he curated a fresh iconography of empowerment upon which activist groups could mobilize.
This represents an inspiring chronicle of cultural impact that still empower across generations.
