ONCE UPON A TIME IN HARLEM

A decade after his death, filmmaker William Greaves’ groundbreaking work and keen eye are in full view. In 1972, Greaves arranged for a gathering with the living luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance. For four hours, this remarkable group of artists and intellectuals – many of whom had not seen each other in fifty years – reminisced, argued, laughed and drank while wrestling with their place in a rapidly shifting cultural landscape. Shot on 16mm film, newly restored and now directed by Greaves’ son David, this landmark film is a rare exploration of the Harlem Renaissance. William Greaves’ intent was not only to document the guests as they spoke about their lives and work but also to understand the extraordinary creative period in which they lived to help us better understand how culture is passed on from one generation to another and the role that the artist plays in keeping it alive.