Once Upon a Time in Harlem

Once Upon a Time in Harlem (2026) follows a social gathering in Harlem, New York, as enthusiastic creatives and intellectuals are filmed observationally, conversing and expressing their deep dedication to their art and the impact they and others had on the Harlem Renaissance (an art movement from 1918 to 1930 that is coined to have redefined empowerment, expression and power of black people).

A decade after the filmmaker’s death (William Greaves), his estate released unseen footage of the 1972 gathering that took place at the home of Duke Ellington (pianist and composer) and this is what the documentary consists of.

Once Upon a Time in Harlem really is a moment in history captured in real time. I went into this film knowing little about the Harlem Renaissance, but I was quickly inspired by the creativity and passion of the artists and intellectuals that add so much human expression to this project.

It was incredibly moving to see how highly the cast spoke of other individuals (some of whom were not in attendance) and the observational footage did a great job of involving the audience in their conversations also.

It was fascinating to see the natural reveal of their storytelling and this organic tone, I believe, will be greatly appreciated when the film is more readily available.

As previously noted, the documentary is entirely observations from that one evening and the beautiful mixed media and music immediately transport you back in time.

The use of photographs shows the cast in previous years and introduces the viewers to other members of the movement who are not present at the gathering. I particularly liked the use of music, poetry and art, as it would be a shame to hear so much praise of certain work and not get to hear or see it yourself. This element is extremely useful, as it helps add pace and interest to what may otherwise struggle to hold the attention of a modern audience.

As much as I enjoyed the unfiltered conversations, I did find that the non-linear structure and constant switching of interviewees confused me. It was hard to keep track of the roles everyone played in their work and in the movement, but the title cards did aid in this sufficiently.

Despite this, I was greatly engaged in the cast’s reflections, history and very vulnerable discussions about their struggles, with the film also embodying a lot of hope too.

It was eye-opening to end on the cast discussing how vital they feel it is for new generations to understand their history. I think the film will do just that for numerous audiences of all ages.

Overall, the imperfect filmmaking fit wonderfully with the raw (and sometimes heated) conversations presented. Once Upon a Time in Harlem is a compelling love letter to the people of the Harlem Renaissance.