We have witnessed countless engaging documentaries highlighting visual artists: Tish Murtha. Maybe cinematic storytelling naturally comes alive when presenting particularly vivid still images. Today arrives a new remarkable case, from creator Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the remarkable life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, artist and social justice champion who exemplified a special artistic-political approach.
Together with his sibling Elombe, he virtually invented the expression “Black Is Beautiful” in the 1960s by documenting the Harlem models in the cultural epicenter: young Black women who transformed into the transformative template for aesthetics, rejecting typical beauty standards and the established Caucasian standard of female beauty.
The Power of Three Words
Black Is Beautiful evolved into a radical call to action, an inspired memorable declaration for progress. Merely stating that black people possessed beauty emerged as a empowering influence in society, activism and creative expression. Brathwaite grew into part of the social justice global Black movement by documenting Muhammad Ali leading up to his iconic Zaire bout in 1974.
He was appointed the primary image creator for the Jackson 5's African tour, and subsequently became the house photographer for the legendary Apollo theatre, building an incredible portfolio of black musicians. Together with Elombe, he was the central figure behind securing the anti-apartheid icon to address the public in Harlem.
Personal Journey
The photographer's offspring Kwame Jr shares the their quest to ensure due acknowledgment for his parent's achievements after he was unjustly overlooked in the prestigious Smithsonian institution, established by the political leader in recent years.
The film also recounts the deeply tragic inspiration of the photographer's passion for image making: the horrendous photographs of the young victim, the adolescent African American lynching victim whose grieving mother defiantly requested an public viewing so the horrific reality of bigoted brutality would not be concealed.
From Tragedy to Beauty
From this vision of horror, the artist encountered a kind of anti-epiphany that led him toward photographs of beauty. His work beautifully expressed empowering beauty and frequently subtle in messaging: he established a fresh iconography of pride around which activist groups could gather.
The documentary stands as an captivating testament of artistic vision that continues to empower through the years.
