We have witnessed many compelling films focusing on visual artists: Martin Parr. Perhaps cinematic storytelling truly excels when displaying exceptionally powerful still images. Here comes one more outstanding instance, from writer-director Yemi Bamiro, exploring the remarkable professional journey of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, artist and African American activist who embodied a unique artistic-political vision.
Together with his sibling Elombe, he pioneered the expression “Black Is Beautiful” in the mid-century era by documenting the African American women in New York: young women of color who became the transformative template for beauty, rejecting traditional grooming practices and the usual white standard of femininity.
The Power of Three Words
This powerful statement transformed into a powerful unifying message, an visionary concise prose poem for progress. Just declaring that people of color were beautiful proved to be a empowering influence in culture, social movements and culture. Brathwaite grew into integral to the social justice pan-Africanist struggle by documenting Muhammad Ali prior to his iconic championship fight in the seventies.
He was appointed the primary photographer for the band's continental journey, and subsequently assumed the role of the house photographer for the historic Apollo theatre, building an amazing archive of African American artists. Alongside his sibling, he became the key organizer behind bringing Nelson Mandela to speak in the community.
Personal Journey
The photographer's offspring his namesake recounts the their campaign to secure proper recognition for his parent's achievements after he was hurtfully excluded in the prestigious National Museum of African American History and Culture, opened by the political leader in 2016.
The film also recounts the profoundly sorrowful origin of Brathwaite's dedication to visual storytelling: the shocking photographs of the lynching martyr, the adolescent Black tragic figure whose bereaved parent defiantly requested an public viewing so the violent nature of racist violence would not be hidden.
Through Darkness to Beauty
In this image of horror, the visionary encountered a type of profound understanding that led him toward images of aspiration. His photographs were eloquent of community pride and frequently nuanced in approach: he curated a fresh visual language of strength upon which political movements could mobilize.
This represents an inspiring testament of artistic vision that still empower decades later.
