history
Harlem Renaissance documentary finally gets global premiere 50 years after cameras rolled
Once Upon a Time in Harlem, completed by relatives of William Greaves after his death, showcased at Cannes
TL;DR
- William Greaves' documentary, Once Upon a Time in Harlem, capturing Harlem Renaissance figures, premiered at Cannes 50 years after filming.
- The film centers on a 1972 cocktail party hosted by Greaves, featuring artists like Aaron Douglas, Richard Bruce Nugent, and musicians Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle.
- Completed by his son David and granddaughter Liani after Greaves' death, the documentary explores debates on identity, politics, and legacy that remain relevant.
- The project was originally shot for Greaves' 1974 documentary From These Roots but remained unfinished until now.
- David Greaves sees parallels between the film's historical discussions and current issues, including the fight against racial erasure in the US.
- The film's completion involved restoring 60,000 feet of 16mm film, with plans for retrospectives in New York and London.