Once Upon a Time in Harlem Teaser: The Documentary of the Year (and 1972) is Coming This October

      Making its debut at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and recently featured at Cannes, it would be astonishing if a better documentary than *Once Upon a Time in Harlem* emerges this year. This remarkable time capsule showcases footage shot by the late William Greaves (known for *Symbiopsychotaxiplasm*) and his son David Greaves, documenting a 1972 party held at Duke Ellington’s home. The film captures prominent figures from the Harlem Renaissance engaged in a vibrant, expansive dialogue about the distinct personalities and artistic pursuits that contributed to this historic movement. Set for theatrical release on October 16 from NEON, the first teaser and poster have now been revealed.

      Here’s the synopsis: "A decade after his passing, the genre-defying filmmaker William Greaves unveils what he regarded as the most significant event he captured on film: a 1972 gathering he orchestrated with the living legends of the Harlem Renaissance. For four hours, this remarkable collective—many of whom hadn’t seen each other in fifty years—reminisced, critiqued, debated, laughed, and shared drinks while grappling with their roles in a swiftly changing cultural landscape. Filmed on 16mm and now newly restored and directed by Greaves’ son David, this landmark documentary serves as both a self-exploration and an examination of the vital energy known as the Harlem Renaissance. William Greaves aimed not only to document these artists and intellectuals discussing their lives and works but also to explore the significance of that extraordinary creative era, enhancing our understanding of how culture is transmitted across generations and the artist's role in sustaining it."

      Kent M. Wilhelm noted in his Sundance review, "Imagine this: an overcast August day in 1972, at a cocktail event in Duke Ellington’s townhouse in Harlem. While you awkwardly hold your punch glass, you become enveloped in a diverse and noisy discussion about art, politics, and society amid one of the most dynamic intellectual and creative movements of modern times. This encapsulates the experience delivered by William and David Greaves’ *Once Upon a Time in Harlem*, an immersive and skillfully crafted documentary that provides a living, vibrant oral history of the Harlem Renaissance. Viewing it feels like discovering hidden treasure."

      Check out the teaser and poster below.