ONCE UPON A TIME IN HARLEM

USA | 2026 | COLOR | DCP | 100’ | ENGLISH

There are films that delve into history. But there are also films that make history. One of these is “Once Upon a Time in Harlem”, perhaps the most important documentary of this year. The film sheds light on a legendary gathering of prominent figures that took place in 1972 at Duke Ellington’s home, which was captured on camera by pioneering director William Graves. There, for a few hours, some of the most prominent members of the Harlem Renaissance -one of the most significant artistic and social movements of the 20th century and catalyst in shaping a strong African American consciousness- had a legendary influence on American culture and helped several subsequent civil rights battles. The film offers us a front-row seat to this monumental convergence of literature and the arts in the same welcoming living room, allowing us to hear the conversations and experiences of people who proudly carried forward and perpetuated the great legacy of the Black community. This invaluable material remained unfinished for over 50 years, until the director’s son restored and completed it, ten years after his father’s death. And what he has given us this year is both a priceless historical and cultural treasure and an inspiring testament that serves as a wake-up call and a moving reminder of the power of human communities in the face of adversity. Loukas Katsikas

DIRECTORS: David Greaves, William Greaves
DoP: William Greaves, David Greaves, Doug Harris, David Hoffman, Jerry Pantzer
MUSIC: Tamar-kali
EDITORS: Lynn True, Anne de Mare

DAVID GREAVES
David Greaves is an award-winning filmmaker and journalist. He worked as cinematographer and editor on many of his father William Greaves' films. Significantly, he was one of the original cameramen during the 1972 shoot for “Once Upon a Time in Harlem”.

FILMOGRAPHY
2026 Once Upon a Time in Harlem