History has seen many fascinating documentaries focusing on image makers: Tish Murtha. It could be the film medium naturally comes alive when displaying particularly vivid still images. Now comes one more outstanding example, from writer-director Yemi Bamiro, exploring the extraordinary life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, artist and civil rights advocate who embodied a distinct artistic-political vision.
In partnership with his family member Elombe, he virtually invented the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” in the 1960s by capturing the African American women in the cultural epicenter: youthful Black women who emerged as the transformative template for visual appeal, rejecting typical grooming practices and the predominant Eurocentric ideal of female beauty.
The Influence of a Simple Phrase
This powerful statement transformed into a radical rallying cry, an inspired three-word prose poem for progress. Just to assert that people of color were beautiful proved to be a empowering power in culture, activism and culture. The photographer grew into integral to the Black power African diaspora struggle by documenting the sports icon before his iconic Zaire bout in that era.
He served as the official image creator for the band's African tour, and eventually was named the official visual chronicler for the iconic Apollo theatre, building an amazing collection of musical pioneers. Together with his sibling, he was the key organizer behind arranging for the South African leader to appear in the community.
Personal Journey
His son his namesake shares the personal mission to achieve due acknowledgment for his family heritage after he was unjustly overlooked in the prestigious National Museum of African American History and Culture, established by Barack Obama in 2016.
The film also recounts the inexpressibly painful genesis of the artist's dedication to image making: the disturbing photographs of the young victim, the young African American lynching victim whose mourning family member boldly demanded an public viewing so the horrific reality of racist violence would not be concealed.
From Tragedy to Beauty
From this image of violence, the visionary found a form of anti-epiphany that led him toward images of community. His work were eloquent of celebratory strength and typically subtle in messaging: he developed a new symbolic representation of strength upon which social causes could mobilize.
The documentary stands as an captivating chronicle of creative genius that continues to resonate through the years.
