William Greaves, a late documentary filmmaker, drew inspiration from a wide array of sources, including sports chronicles like "The Fighter" and experimental films such as Symbiopsychotaxiplasm. However, one project that remained unfinished was his 1972 film on the Harlem Renaissance, which has now been completed by David Greaves, his son.
The film begins with a concept introduced through letters and voice recordings from William Greaves himself. It then jumps to his house in New York where he captured an afternoon gathering of over two dozen luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance at jazz pianist Duke Ellington's home.
This iconic group included painters such as Aaron Douglas, Romare Bearden, Richard Bruce Nugent, and Ernest Crichlow; musicians like Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle; and playwrights like Leigh Whipper and Regina Andrews. Each guest is introduced on screen with a brief description of their contributions to the movement.
Through individual interviews that resemble regal portraits, David Greaves brings each guest into sharp focus before cutting back to group discussions. This format allows for an intimate portrayal of these icons as they ruminate and reflect on key moments in cultural transformation, often accompanied by close-ups of teary eyes revealing defiant fervor.
The film pairs stark photographs with narrated poems from notable figures like Langston Hughes, effectively granting the Harlem Renaissance era a three-dimensional presence. The group members recall childhoods during Reconstruction, parents' lives under slavery, and songs, poems, and cinematic monologues they learned decades earlier.
As they speak, these memories create a tangible connection between past and present, allowing us to touch upon moments that seem distant in time but remain within living memory.
The completion of this film is largely due to the efforts of David Greaves, his stepmother Louise Greaves who passed away in 2023, and preservationist Bill Brand. Watching it today, one can't help but feel that William Greaves anticipated that it would become a historical document someday, informing his creative approach.
The film's visual language is anything but austere, with Greaves positioning cameras to position the audience within the debates as participants, much like in Mati Diop's recent African art restitution chronicle "Dahomey". As we listen to Greaves' voice and glimpse his sound equipment at times, he becomes just as much a participant, especially when he leaves topics of debate and requests performances from the guests.
We sit around the same table as the guests, often at their eye level, making us feel like children sitting at their grandparents' feet, listening to stories and bracing ourselves for youthful energy and emotional depth. Greaves expertly frames this academic past through nostalgia, rendering history enormous and reinvigorating it for generations to come.
Ultimately, "Once Upon A Time In Harlem" transforms its cultural milieu into personal memory, allowing viewers to experience a bygone era with immediacy and intimacy.
The film begins with a concept introduced through letters and voice recordings from William Greaves himself. It then jumps to his house in New York where he captured an afternoon gathering of over two dozen luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance at jazz pianist Duke Ellington's home.
This iconic group included painters such as Aaron Douglas, Romare Bearden, Richard Bruce Nugent, and Ernest Crichlow; musicians like Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle; and playwrights like Leigh Whipper and Regina Andrews. Each guest is introduced on screen with a brief description of their contributions to the movement.
Through individual interviews that resemble regal portraits, David Greaves brings each guest into sharp focus before cutting back to group discussions. This format allows for an intimate portrayal of these icons as they ruminate and reflect on key moments in cultural transformation, often accompanied by close-ups of teary eyes revealing defiant fervor.
The film pairs stark photographs with narrated poems from notable figures like Langston Hughes, effectively granting the Harlem Renaissance era a three-dimensional presence. The group members recall childhoods during Reconstruction, parents' lives under slavery, and songs, poems, and cinematic monologues they learned decades earlier.
As they speak, these memories create a tangible connection between past and present, allowing us to touch upon moments that seem distant in time but remain within living memory.
The completion of this film is largely due to the efforts of David Greaves, his stepmother Louise Greaves who passed away in 2023, and preservationist Bill Brand. Watching it today, one can't help but feel that William Greaves anticipated that it would become a historical document someday, informing his creative approach.
The film's visual language is anything but austere, with Greaves positioning cameras to position the audience within the debates as participants, much like in Mati Diop's recent African art restitution chronicle "Dahomey". As we listen to Greaves' voice and glimpse his sound equipment at times, he becomes just as much a participant, especially when he leaves topics of debate and requests performances from the guests.
We sit around the same table as the guests, often at their eye level, making us feel like children sitting at their grandparents' feet, listening to stories and bracing ourselves for youthful energy and emotional depth. Greaves expertly frames this academic past through nostalgia, rendering history enormous and reinvigorating it for generations to come.
Ultimately, "Once Upon A Time In Harlem" transforms its cultural milieu into personal memory, allowing viewers to experience a bygone era with immediacy and intimacy.
This documentary feels like a warm hug from the past - David Greaves did an incredible job bringing his dad's vision to life 
. The way he weaves together interviews, archival footage, and poetry is pure magic 
. I love how it transports you into that world, making you feel like you're part of the conversation at Duke Ellington's house 
. The visuals are stunning too - those close-ups of teary eyes or nostalgic gazes are going to give you all the feels 
. I'm so grateful William Greaves left us this legacy and now we get to experience it in a way that's both informative and entertaining 
I think it's amazing that this documentary has finally been completed after all these years 
. The way David Greaves brought his dad's vision to life is so thoughtful & creative 
. I love how the film weaves together different stories, sounds, and visuals to recreate the Harlem Renaissance era in a way that feels both nostalgic & fresh 
. The way the film balances academic rigor with emotional depth is just masterful 
. I'm so grateful for this tribute to William Greaves' legacy and the Harlem Renaissance community 
. Can't wait to watch it! 
. This film feels like a time capsule that's both nostalgic and revolutionary at the same time 
.
it's like you're right there in the room with duke ellington, langston hughes, and all those other legends talking about their experiences during the harlem renaissance. david greaves did an amazing job bringing this project to life, especially after his dad william left it unfinished 
the way he weaves together interviews, poems, and photos is so cinematic 
it feels like you're looking at old home movies or something. what i love most about this doc is how it makes history feel personal and relatable again 
I feel like I'm getting a glimpse into their lives, you know? 
seeing Duke Ellington's house where all these legendary figures gathered is just incredible 
it's like we're right there with them, listening to their stories and watching them perform 
. I mean, can you imagine being in the same room as Langston Hughes and Aaron Douglas?! 
.
. It's crazy how William Greaves' passion for the Harlem Renaissance can still transport us to another era in today's world 
.
. I mean, we're used to watching documentaries that are all dry and academic, but this one feels so much more human and relatable 
... it's like William Greaves' unfinished business has finally been completed 
!
it was like stepping into a different world, one where art and music were literally changing the game and these people were so passionate about it. the way they talked about their childhoods and how that shaped them as artists was like... wow, I can feel the love and the struggle in every word. and the visuals? oh man, it's like we're sitting around that table with Duke Ellington himself listening to him play. 
david greaves did his dad a huge favor by finishing this project, i can only imagine how much work went into it. anyway, this doc is like... a breath of fresh air, you know?
The way they discuss their pasts and experiences with racism is giving me major vibes of how our own conversations about police brutality and systemic change need to be more personal and relatable 
. Don't get me wrong, I love learning about history and all, but sometimes I think we overdo it with these kinds of films. We're already bombarded with stuff about our past, do we really need to relive it in 4K? 
Also, the fact that David Greaves had his dad's original footage just sitting around for 50 years is a bit weird... didn't anyone think to use it sooner? 
. I love how he makes you feel like you're part of that gathering, like a kid sitting at their grandparents' feet 
.
That's like meeting your grandparents' friends from when they were young! Anyway, what's up with the sound equipment at times? It seems so old-school, like something out of a film noir 
Sorry, I know it sounds silly but it just caught my eye!
. What a legacy!