Documentary · United States of America · 2026 · 1h 40m

Once Upon a Time in Harlem

Once Upon a Time in Harlem poster
Director
William GreavesDavid Greaves
Cast
Aaron Douglas as Self (archival footage) Richard Bruce Nugent as Self (archival footage) Ernest Crichlow as Self (archival footage) Eubie Blake as Self (archival footage) Leigh Whipper as Self (archival footage) Arna Bontemps as Self (archival footage)
Crew
Lynn True — Editor Anne de Mare — Editor Tamar-kali — Original Music Composer Liani Greaves — Producer Anne de Mare — Producer Matthew J. Hoffman — Producer
Tagline

A film 50 years in the making

Synopsis

A decade after his death, genre-defying filmmaker William Greaves has one last trick up his sleeve with what he considered the most important event he captured on film: a 1972 party he engineered with the living luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance.

Mood & Themes
communityreunionharlem, new york cityharlem renaissancecocktail partyrestorationblack communitycollaborationduke ellingtonharlem
Key Collaborators
William Greaves Director David Greaves Director Lynn True Editor Anne de Mare Editor Tamar-kali Original Music Composer Liani Greaves Producer Anne de Mare Producer Matthew J. Hoffman Producer Bella Racklin Producer
Follow the Thread

William Greaves directed Once Upon a Time in Harlem. Explore their complete filmography and the collaborators who shaped their vision.

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