We have witnessed countless compelling films about photographers: Tish Murtha. Perhaps cinematic storytelling particularly shines when showcasing particularly vivid photographs. Today comes another remarkable case, directed by creator Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the remarkable life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, performer and civil rights advocate who exemplified a special artistic-political perspective.
In partnership with his family member Elombe, he pioneered the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” in the mid-century era by documenting the Grandassa Models in the cultural epicenter: young African American women who became the transformative standard for aesthetics, moving beyond traditional beauty standards and the predominant white model of female beauty.
The Influence of Three Words
The iconic phrase became a transformative call to action, an brilliant concise manifesto for transformation. Merely to assert that African Americans radiated beauty became a transformative force in culture, politics and culture. The artist became integral to the social justice African diaspora movement by photographing Muhammad Ali leading up to his legendary Zaire bout in 1974.
He became the official image creator for the musical group's African tour, and later became the resident artist for the iconic Harlem venue, building an incredible archive of black musicians. In collaboration with his sibling, he emerged as the key organizer behind arranging for the anti-apartheid icon to appear in the community.
Family Legacy
The photographer's offspring the younger Brathwaite recounts the their campaign to achieve due acknowledgment for his parent's achievements after he was unjustly ignored in the nation's capital's National Museum of African American History and Culture, established by the former president in this century.
The film additionally explores the deeply tragic inspiration of the artist's interest in visual storytelling: the shocking pictures of the lynching martyr, the adolescent African American lynching victim whose bereaved parent courageously demanded an public viewing so the violent nature of racist violence would not be covered up.
From Tragedy to Beauty
From this vision of horror, the visionary discovered a type of anti-epiphany that guided him toward images of aspiration. His images were eloquent of celebratory strength and often nuanced in approach: he developed a fresh symbolic representation of empowerment upon which social causes could unite.
The documentary stands as an captivating record of creative genius that continues to inspire through the years.
