History has seen numerous compelling films highlighting photographers: Tish Murtha. Perhaps cinematic storytelling particularly shines when displaying exceptionally powerful visual compositions. Here arrives a new exceptional instance, by creator Yemi Bamiro, exploring the impressive professional journey of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, performer and social justice champion who exemplified a distinct cultural-activist vision.
In partnership with his sibling Elombe, he effectively created the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” during the 1960s by documenting the Harlem models in Harlem: emerging African American women who emerged as the sensational archetype for beauty, abandoning conventional grooming practices and the usual Caucasian ideal of female beauty.
The Impact of a Simple Phrase
Black Is Beautiful became a powerful call to action, an visionary memorable declaration for change. Simply declaring that African Americans possessed beauty proved to be a liberating force in society, activism and culture. The photographer grew into integral to the civil rights African diaspora struggle by photographing the legendary boxer prior to his iconic Rumble in the Jungle in the seventies.
He served as the official photographer for the musical group's international performances, and eventually assumed the role of the house photographer for the iconic Apollo theatre, building an extraordinary collection of musical pioneers. In collaboration with his brother, he became the driving force behind arranging for the South African leader to appear in Harlem.
Historical Recognition
His son his namesake recounts the their quest to achieve appropriate credit for his family heritage after he was painfully excluded in the nation's capital's Smithsonian institution, opened by the former president in this century.
This documentary also recounts the deeply tragic genesis of the photographer's interest in visual storytelling: the horrendous photographs of the young victim, the adolescent African American lynching victim whose mourning family member courageously requested an open coffin so the violent nature of racial hatred would not be covered up.
Through Darkness to Hope
From this image of horror, the visionary discovered a type of anti-epiphany that led him toward photographs of community. His photographs powerfully conveyed community pride and frequently subtle in messaging: he developed a innovative visual language of strength around which social causes could gather.
The documentary stands as an inspiring chronicle of creative genius that continues to resonate decades later.
