Once Upon a Time in Harlem

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Once Upon a Time in Harlem

PG-13

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1h 40m

Documentary

History

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A decade after his death, filmmaker William Greaves's estate releases footage from a 1972 gathering of Harlem Renaissance artists.

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Critics Consensus

Director David Greaves finishes what his father started with Once Upon a Time in Harlem, a strikingly immersive glimpse into a unique time and place that feels like getting to bask in a community's collective heart.

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Manohla Dargis

New York Times

13 hrs ago

The work that he did, including the material that he shot, and envisioned, for what became “Once Upon a Time in Harlem,” was a means of both artistic expression and political action, a way to turn stories into history, history into life.

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Keith Phipps

The Reveal

16 hrs ago

4.5 / 5

[I]t’s as much a time machine as an historical document, turning viewers into crashers of a party filled with fascinating guests.

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Dwight Brown

DwightBrownInk.com

Sep 22, 2026

4/4

Superlative documentary filmmaking. What began 50 years ago arrives right on time. It’s a treasure. A national treasure.

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Paula Farmer

culturevulture.net

15 hrs ago

Although it appears little editing was applied and some of the conversations continue at length, audiences will feel a sense of being transported in time and either being part of this illustrious gathering as if sitting on the sofa next to [them].

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Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

16 hrs ago

This documentary is compelling for both what happens on screen and for the story behind it.

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Claire Di Maio

But Why Tho?

21 hrs ago

9.5/10

It’s one thing to merely film a moment in time. But Once Upon a Time in Harlem exists somewhere in the liminal space between being a fly on the wall and being a partygoer yourself.

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David Greaves

Director

William Greaves

Screenwriter

Liani Greaves

Producer

Anne De Mare

Producer

William Greaves

Cinematographer

Lynn True

Film Editor

Once Upon a Time in Harlem: Trailer 1

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Once Upon a Time in Harlem: Teaser Trailer

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Synopsis

A decade after his death, filmmaker William Greaves's estate releases footage from a 1972 gathering of Harlem Renaissance artists.

Director: David Greaves
Producer: Liani Greaves, Anne De Mare
Screenwriter: William Greaves
Distributor: NEON
Production Co: William Greaves Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Strong Racial Language|Brief Partial Nudity|Some Disturbing Images|Smoking)
Genre: Documentary, History
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 16, 2026, Limited
Runtime: 1h 40m

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