We have witnessed countless compelling films focusing on photographers: Martin Parr. Maybe cinematic storytelling particularly shines when displaying remarkably striking still images. Today we have a new exceptional example, by creator Yemi Bamiro, documenting the extraordinary life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, musician and social justice champion who embodied a unique artistic-political perspective.
Together with his brother Elombe, he virtually invented the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” in the mid-century era by capturing the Grandassa Models in Harlem: youthful African American women who transformed into the transformative archetype for aesthetics, rejecting traditional cosmetic products and the established Caucasian ideal of female beauty.
The Influence of a Simple Phrase
This powerful statement became a powerful call to action, an brilliant concise declaration for change. Just stating that black people radiated beauty proved to be a empowering force in art, social movements and culture. Brathwaite grew into a key figure in the social justice pan-Africanist movement by documenting the legendary boxer leading up to his legendary championship fight in that era.
He served as the primary image creator for the band's continental journey, and later was named the resident artist for the iconic Harlem venue, building an extraordinary archive of African American artists. Together with his brother, he emerged as the key organizer behind securing the South African leader to appear in the community.
Historical Recognition
The photographer's offspring the younger Brathwaite shares the personal campaign to achieve due acknowledgment for his father's legacy after he was painfully overlooked in the prestigious National Museum of African American History and Culture, inaugurated by the political leader in this century.
This documentary also recounts the profoundly sorrowful origin of Brathwaite's passion for image making: the disturbing photographs of Emmett Till, the young civil rights murder victim whose mourning family member courageously requested an uncovered casket so the violent nature of racial hatred could not be concealed.
Amidst Sorrow to Beauty
In this image of tragedy, the artist encountered a type of profound understanding that led him toward images of community. His images beautifully expressed celebratory strength and often not overtly political: he developed a new symbolic representation of pride around which activist groups could gather.
It is an exhilarating testament of creative genius that persists in resonate through the years.
