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Harlem Renaissance Film's 50-Year Journey
21 Jan
Summary
- Filmmaker William Greaves' unfinished documentary debuts at Sundance.
- The film captures a 1972 Harlem Renaissance party reunion.
- Decades later, his family completes the posthumous documentary.
Filmmaker William Greaves' feature documentary, "Once Upon A Time In Harlem," a project spanning over five decades, is set to debut at the Sundance Film Festival this month. Initially conceived in 1972, the film captures a remarkable gathering of surviving Harlem Renaissance artists at a party hosted by Duke Ellington.
Greaves initially shot the footage for "From These Roots" in 1974, setting aside the party discussions. He passed away in 2014 with the film incomplete. His widow, Louise Greaves, continued the work until her passing in 2023, after which their son, David Greaves, and granddaughter, Liani Greaves, took over.
The Greaves family oversaw the restoration and digitization of over 60,000 feet of 16mm film. This monumental effort, supported by grants, finally brought the project to fruition. The film features prominent figures like Aaron Douglas, Richard Bruce Nugent, and Arna Bontemps.
David Greaves is credited as director for this version, with Liani Greaves serving as producer. They are also planning to release other projects from William Greaves's extensive archive, further preserving his prolific legacy. The family aims for wide theatrical distribution.
