We have witnessed countless compelling films focusing on photographers: Martin Parr. Maybe the film medium naturally comes alive when showcasing exceptionally powerful photographs. Now arrives a new outstanding instance, by filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, documenting the remarkable life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, musician and African American activist who represented a distinct artistic-political vision.
In partnership with his brother Elombe, he pioneered the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” in the mid-century era by photographing the Grandassa Models in Harlem: young Black women who became the transformative standard for beauty, rejecting typical cosmetic products and the usual white model of female beauty.
The Influence of Three Words
This powerful statement became a transformative rallying cry, an inspired three-word declaration for transformation. Simply stating that black people were beautiful emerged as a liberating influence in culture, social movements and the arts. The artist grew into part of the Black power African diaspora struggle by photographing the sports icon before his legendary Zaire bout in that era.
He was appointed the primary photographer for the musical group's continental journey, and subsequently became the resident artist for the iconic Apollo theatre, building an incredible archive of African American artists. Alongside his sibling, he was the driving force behind securing the South African leader to address the public in Harlem.
Family Legacy
His son his namesake recounts the personal campaign to secure due acknowledgment for his father's legacy after he was hurtfully overlooked in Washington DC's National Museum of African American History and Culture, established by the former president in 2016.
The film additionally explores the profoundly sorrowful origin of the photographer's interest in visual storytelling: the horrendous photographs of Emmett Till, the adolescent African American murder victim whose mourning family member defiantly requested an uncovered casket so the horrific reality of bigoted brutality would not be hidden.
From Tragedy to Hope
In this vision of tragedy, the artist discovered a kind of transformative realization that directed him toward visual representations of beauty. His images powerfully conveyed empowering beauty and typically subtle in messaging: he curated a innovative symbolic representation of pride around which political movements could gather.
It is an inspiring chronicle of cultural impact that continues to resonate across generations.
