Every once in a while, a movie comes along that is not only excellent but also feels like something special that only that film could provide. Thanks to both the film itself and the history behind its production, the documentary Once Upon a Time in Harlem already stands out as one of the most singular cinematic experiences of the year.
What is Once Upon a Time in Harlem about?
Once Upon a Time in Harlem is made up of footage that was shot in 1972 by the late, great documentarian William Greaves at a dinner party held at the home of Duke Ellington, where several luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance reunited to reflect and reminisce. This is a project that Greaves worked on for decades until his death in 2014, and now, his son David (who worked as a cameraperson on the original shoot), has stepped in to fully realize the project, and the result is as stunning as you can imagine.
Once Upon a Time in Harlem Review
Some of the most interesting portions of the film are those in which the subjects reflect upon their identity as artists. One particularly insightful statement, “It’s a revolution compared to other music, but it’s not a revolution for us,” challenges the audience to rethink their relationship with culture. Even today, we continue to otherize Black artists and artists of color, relegating them to the annals of niche status rather than recognizing them for the important role they play in mainstream art history.
Thankfully, projects like Once Upon a Time in Harlem exist to remind us of the importance of these artists. That’s not to say that anyone who knows anything about art would doubt the importance of the Harlem Renaissance, but one of the great things about this film is that it gives a platform not only to the poets and musicians that audiences may be familiar with by name, but also the scholars and activists who are as important but don’t as frequently get the spotlight in major projects like this.
With this footage, the younger Greaves does an excellent job of transporting audiences back to the era in which this event took place. Part of this, of course, is just the nature of the project. Watching Once Upon a Time in Harlem is like opening up a time capsule from more than half a century ago, and because the footage was shot in 1972, it has this beautiful celluloid grain that radiates warmth.
However, David Greaves also deserves a lot of credit for the work he has done in the modern day to make this film such a transportive work of art. It has much the same effect as sitting around the dinner table, listening to your grandparents tell stories about the past — only the people sitting around the table, in this case, happen to be some of the most gifted and talented artists that have ever lived.
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If there is one thing that disappoints about Once Upon a Time in Harlem, it’s that the editing could spare to have a bit more energy and momentum. Granted, Greaves seems to want the footage to do most of the heavy lifting, with several long, uninterrupted interviews allowing the subjects to speak freely about what is on their minds. Yet, some stylistic flourishes throughout the film — such as some split-screen editing a la Woodstock, a similarly immersive time capsule — show that the film still could have worked well with a touch more visual dynamism.
Is Once Upon a Time in Harlem worth watching?
Nevertheless, Once Upon a Time in Harlem is sure to stand out as one of the year’s finest archival documentaries. Every second of footage that David Greaves presents here from his late father is a gift, not only to the audience but also to the world of art in general. It might have taken nearly 55 years for this project to be realized, but it was well worth the wait.
Once Upon a Time in Harlem is screening at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, which runs January 22-February 1 in Park City, UT, and online from January 29-February 1.
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