Once Upon a Time in Harlem

Offering proof that movies are the nearest thing we have to a time machine, the breathtaking new documentary, Once Upon a Time in Harlem, provides a vibrant, joltingly pleasurable reminder of the thrilling power of nonfiction cinema. The seeds of this remarkable work were planted a half-century ago, when independent filmmaker William Greaves invited an extraordinary group of artists, writers, poets, actors, musicians and thinkers – all of whom were part of the singularly rich period of American culture of the 1920s known as the Harlem Renaissance – to gather in 1972 in the elegant New York apartment of Duke Ellington. The conversations, debates, reminiscences and spontaneous emotions recorded that evening have remained unseen until now, but thanks to the artistry of the filmmaker’s son, David Greaves, this priceless record has now been edited into a living, breathing, enchanting feature film to which the whole world is invited. Toronto, New York and Sundance Film Festivals. “One of the greatest cinematic works of creative nonfiction that I’ve ever seen.” – Richard Brody, The New Yorker