We have witnessed many compelling films focusing on photographers: Tish Murtha. It could be the film medium particularly shines when showcasing remarkably striking visual compositions. Now comes another remarkable instance, from filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the impressive professional journey of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, musician and social justice champion who embodied a distinct cultural-activist approach.
Alongside his brother Elombe, he pioneered the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” during the 1960s by capturing the Grandassa Models in the cultural epicenter: youthful Black women who became the transformative template for visual appeal, abandoning typical beauty standards and the established white model of femininity.
The Influence of a Revolutionary Slogan
Black Is Beautiful became a transformative call to action, an inspired memorable prose poem for transformation. Merely stating that black people possessed beauty emerged as a transformative influence in culture, activism and the arts. The artist became integral to the social justice African diaspora movement by capturing images of Muhammad Ali prior to his legendary championship fight in that era.
He became the exclusive visual documentarian for the Jackson 5's African tour, and eventually was named the official visual chronicler for the historic Apollo theatre, building an extraordinary archive of black musicians. Together with his brother, he emerged as the central figure behind arranging for the anti-apartheid icon to address the public in New York.
Personal Journey
Brathwaite's son the younger Brathwaite shares the family's quest to achieve proper recognition for his family heritage after he was painfully overlooked in the nation's capital's National Museum of African American History and Culture, established by the former president in this century.
The film additionally explores the inexpressibly painful inspiration of the photographer's dedication to photography: the disturbing pictures of the young victim, the teenage Black murder victim whose bereaved parent courageously insisted on an open coffin so the brutal truth of racist violence might not be concealed.
Amidst Sorrow to Empowerment
In this representation of horror, the visionary found a kind of profound understanding that guided him toward images of beauty. His images beautifully expressed celebratory strength and frequently nuanced in approach: he curated a new iconography of pride around which political movements could unite.
This represents an inspiring chronicle of creative genius that persists in inspire across generations.
