History has seen countless fascinating films about image makers: Vivian Maier. Perhaps the film medium naturally comes alive when displaying particularly vivid visual compositions. Today we have another outstanding instance, by filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the impressive professional journey of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, musician and social justice champion who represented a special cultural-activist perspective.
Alongside his sibling Elombe, he virtually invented the expression “Black Is Beautiful” during the sixties by photographing the Harlem models in Harlem: youthful women of color who emerged as the transformative archetype for aesthetics, moving beyond traditional beauty standards and the established Eurocentric standard of female beauty.
The Power of a Simple Phrase
This powerful statement evolved into a radical unifying message, an inspired concise prose poem for transformation. Merely declaring that African Americans radiated beauty emerged as a transformative force in culture, politics and culture. The photographer emerged as a key figure in the civil rights global Black cause by documenting the legendary boxer leading up to his iconic Rumble in the Jungle in that era.
He was appointed the exclusive visual documentarian for the musical group's continental journey, and eventually became the official visual chronicler for the legendary cultural institution, creating an extraordinary portfolio of black musicians. In collaboration with his sibling, he became the driving force behind securing the South African leader to address the public in New York.
Historical Recognition
The photographer's offspring his namesake shares the personal quest to secure proper recognition for his father's legacy after he was hurtfully ignored in Washington DC's Smithsonian institution, established by the political leader in this century.
This documentary also recounts the profoundly sorrowful inspiration of the photographer's dedication to visual storytelling: the disturbing images of the lynching martyr, the teenage civil rights lynching victim whose bereaved parent courageously requested an public viewing so the horrific reality of racist violence would not be concealed.
Through Darkness to Beauty
Through this vision of horror, the artist encountered a kind of profound understanding that led him toward images of beauty. His work were eloquent of empowering beauty and typically subtle in messaging: he curated a innovative symbolic representation of pride upon which political movements could gather.
The documentary stands as an captivating chronicle of artistic vision that still inspire decades later.
