Film
Once Upon a Time in Harlem
Documentary · 1h 40m · in cinemas from 19 November
Where to see it
5 screenings in 3 cities
2 screenings in Amsterdam
In English with Dutch subtitles, unless marked
About
A 1972 party at Duke Ellington's Harlem townhouse brings surviving Harlem Renaissance figures together, in a documentary completed by David Greaves decades later.
Once Upon a Time in Harlem is a 2026 American documentary directed by William Greaves and David Greaves. It centres on a 1972 gathering that William Greaves convened at Duke Ellington's townhouse in Harlem, bringing together surviving members of the Harlem Renaissance. Greaves invited every participant he could locate, including painter Aaron Douglas, artist and writer Richard Bruce Nugent, poets Arna Bontemps and Frank Horne, musicians Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle, photographer James Van Der Zee, actor Leigh Whipper and artists Romare Bearden and Ernest Crichlow. Many of those present had not seen one another for decades. Greaves shot the event in 1972 and continued working on the material, but the film remained unfinished for fifty years. After his father's death, David Greaves revisited the footage and completed the documentary.
Story written by Evenitto from TMDB, Wikipedia, the film catalogue and the cinemas' notes
Trailer
Official trailer · TMDBYouTube
Cast and crew
- Aaron Douglasas Self (archival footage)
- Richard Bruce Nugentas Self (archival footage)
- Ernest Crichlowas Self (archival footage)
Eubie Blakeas Self (archival footage)
Leigh Whipperas Self (archival footage)- Arna Bontempsas Self (archival footage)
William Greavesas Self (archival footage)- James Van Der Zeeas Self (archival footage)
- Ida Mae Cullenas Self (archival footage)
Noble Sissleas Self (archival footage)- Romare Beardenas Self (archival footage)
Photos: TMDB
- Director
- William Greaves, David Greaves
- Producers
- Liani Greaves, Anne de Mare
- Editing
- Lynn True · Anne de Mare
- Countries
- United States
- Studios
- William Greaves Productions
Good to know
- Running time
- 1 hour 40 minutes
- Language
- English
- In Dutch cinemas
- From 19 November 2026
Questions
How long is Once Upon a Time in Harlem?
1 hour 40 minutes. Most cinemas add 15 to 20 minutes of trailers first, so plan for about 2 hours.
Where can I see Once Upon a Time in Harlem?
There are 5 screenings at 4 cinemas in 3 cities, most in Amsterdam (2), Groningen (2) and Nijmegen (1). Pick your city above for the times.
What language is Once Upon a Time in Harlem in?
Once Upon a Time in Harlem is in English. A foreign-language film normally plays in its original version with Dutch subtitles.
Who is in Once Upon a Time in Harlem?
Aaron Douglas plays Self (archival footage), with Richard Bruce Nugent, Ernest Crichlow, Eubie Blake, Leigh Whipper and Arna Bontemps.
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