{
  "id": 15060509,
  "title": "Once Upon a Time in Harlem Is One of the Great Documentaries of the Year",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/once-upon-a-time-in-harlem-is-one-of-the-great-documentaries-of-the",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-16T21:25:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Time",
    "slug": "time",
    "url": "https://time.com/article/2026/10/16/once-upon-a-time-in-harlem-review/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 1972, filmmaker William Greaves orchestrated an extraordinary gathering in Harlem, inviting key figures from the Harlem Renaissance to reunite. These luminaries included Aaron Douglas, Arna Bontemps, Gerri Major, and Eubie Blake, among others. The event was meticulously documented by Greaves, who appointed his son David as one of the cinematographers, aiming to create a film that would not only showcase the lives and accomplishments of these people but also serve as a tribute to their enduring legacy. The result was \"Once Upon a Time in Harlem,\" a documentary that encapsulated the vibrancy and camaraderie of an era that had long been lost. However, Greaves, a renowned filmmaker and visionary, passed away in 2014 before the film could be completed. It was his granddaughter, Liani Greaves, along with her father, David, who finally brought the project to fruition, resulting in a cinematic masterpiece that stands as one of the great documentaries of its time. The film transports the viewer back to a Harlem of the 1920s, where elegantly dressed guests, many of whom had not seen each other in decades, reconnected in Duke Ellington's apartment. The atmosphere is one of warmth and nostalgia, as the guests engage in lively conversations, sharing memories and reflecting on their contributions to the cultural landscape. Photographer James Van Der Zee, a prominent figure of the era, lent his artistic talent to the project by capturing the group in intimate, evocative portraits. Painter and activist Richard Price Nugent, when pondering his role in the Renaissance, muses, \"While you're living it, it is the now.\" Actor Leigh Whipper, one of the oldest members of the group, recites powerful poems and passages from the era, his performance imbued with the passion and reverence of a lifetime dedicated to the arts. The conversations between the guests are as captivating as the individuals themselves, often sparked by Greaves' own poetic insights. Countee Cullen's widow, Ida Mae Cullen, reminds the group of the fleeting nature of their time, a decade-long Renaissance that left a lasting impact on American culture. The film's editing, by Anne DeMare and Lynn True, expertly weaves together the vivid anecdotes and reflections, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of this lost era. Through its seemingly casual yet profound discussions, \"Once Upon a Time in Harlem\" captures the essence of a time when people, particularly intellectuals, knew how to dress, socialize, and create with a sense of purpose and elegance. The film is a testament to the power of documentary filmmaking to not only document history but also to breathe life into it, allowing us to relive and appreciate the glory of a bygone epoch.",
  "summary": "The film drops in on a party in 1972, when key figures of the Harlem Renaissance reunited for an evening at Duke Ellington's apartment",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}