There have been many compelling documentaries focusing on photographers: Martin Parr. It could be cinematic storytelling particularly shines when presenting remarkably striking photographs. Here arrives one more remarkable example, directed by writer-director Yemi Bamiro, exploring the impressive professional journey of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, musician and social justice champion who represented a unique cultural-activist approach.
In partnership with his family member Elombe, he virtually invented the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” in the 1960s by photographing the African American women in Harlem: youthful women of color who emerged as the groundbreaking archetype for aesthetics, rejecting traditional grooming practices and the predominant Caucasian ideal of womanhood.
The Influence of Three Words
The iconic phrase became a radical unifying message, an brilliant three-word prose poem for progress. Merely to assert that African Americans were beautiful proved to be a transformative power in society, social movements and the arts. Brathwaite emerged as a key figure in the Black power African diaspora movement by photographing Muhammad Ali before his iconic Rumble in the Jungle in the seventies.
He was appointed the exclusive visual documentarian for the musical group's continental journey, and eventually assumed the role of the house photographer for the historic Harlem venue, building an incredible portfolio of African American artists. Together with Elombe, he became the key organizer behind arranging for Nelson Mandela to speak in New York.
Personal Journey
Brathwaite's son Kwame Jr is interviewed the personal campaign to secure proper recognition for his parent's achievements after he was hurtfully ignored in Washington DC's cultural museum, opened by Barack Obama in recent years.
The feature also recounts the profoundly sorrowful origin of Brathwaite's passion for visual storytelling: the disturbing photographs of the young victim, the adolescent Black lynching victim whose bereaved parent boldly demanded an public viewing so the violent nature of bigoted brutality might not be hidden.
From Tragedy to Beauty
In this image of tragedy, the artist encountered a type of transformative realization that guided him toward images of aspiration. His photographs powerfully conveyed community pride and frequently subtle in messaging: he developed a new symbolic representation of strength through which political movements could gather.
This represents an captivating record of cultural impact that continues to empower across generations.
