Harlem Renaissance: A Lost Party Revived

A documentary premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, "Once Upon a Time in Harlem," offers a vibrant glimpse into a 1972 gathering of prominent figures from the Harlem Renaissance. Directed by David Greaves, the film honors his father, William Greaves, the acclaimed filmmaker who convened these artists, writers, and intellectuals at Duke Ellington's home.

The film masterfully interweaves footage from the three-hour party with interviews and archival images. It captures the spirit of a salon where ideas sparked and memories were shared, with guests reminiscing about the 1920s and 1930s, a time of significant Black cultural output and ambition.

Notable attendees included Noble Sissle, who sang from "Shuffle Along," and recounted a lesson from Bill "Bojangles" Robinson regarding interactions with white individuals. Gerri Major, an early society editor, articulated her journalistic principle of only engaging in work that would help her community. The presence of influential figures like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston was also felt.

Ernest Crichlow recalled his awe-inspiring visit to sculptor Augusta Savage's studio as a young teen, describing it as "heaven." The film highlights the dynamic conversations and shared experiences of these cultural icons. Bruce Richard Nugent's observation that "while you're living it, it is the now" encapsulates the film's immersion into its subject.

The documentary invites viewers to become time travelers, offering a rich tapestry of personal recollections and reflections. The visual style, from costume choices to the ambiance of Ellington's home, adds to the film's layered exploration of this transformative era in American cultural history.