Once Upon a Time in Harlem documentary to release October 16

The documentary ‘Once Upon a Time in Harlem’ is set for theatrical release on October 16. Conceived and filmed by the late William Greaves in 1972, the project was completed and directed by his son, David Greaves, over fifty years later.

The film captures a gathering of surviving members of the Harlem Renaissance at a cocktail party held at Duke Ellington’s home. Shot on 16mm film, the documentary features intellectuals, musicians, and artists engaging in uninterrupted conversations regarding their legacies, radical economic policies, and the complexities of their cultural movement.

As an Oscar contender, the film has been programmed at several major festivals, including Sundance, Cannes, Toronto, the New York Film Festival, and Telluride.