Lost William Greaves documentary premieres at Cannes after 50 years
A long-lost documentary by filmmaker William Greaves has finally reached the screen. Once Upon A Time In Harlem premiered at the Cannes Film Festival as part of the Directors' Fortnight competition. The film, conceived in 1972, was completed decades later by Greaves’ children after his death.
William Greaves shot the footage for Once Upon A Time In Harlem in 1972. He originally planned it for a different project, From These Roots, but later saw it as his most important work. Despite his efforts, he never finished it during his lifetime.
Years after his death, his son David and daughter Liani took on the task of completing the film. Producer Anne de Mare helped restore and digitise the old footage, making the documentary ready for audiences. The finished work was first shown at Sundance, where distributor Neon acquired it in a competitive deal, beating Netflix and Mubi. The Cannes premiere drew strong reactions. After the screening, the audience gave a four-minute standing ovation. David and Liani Greaves attended the event and were visibly moved by the response. The film is set for a wider release later this year, timed to coincide with William Greaves’ centenary on October 8.
The documentary’s journey from unfinished footage to festival success spans over 50 years. With Neon now handling distribution, Once Upon A Time In Harlem will reach cinemas before the end of 2024. The Cannes Film Festival continues until May 23, where the film remains in competition.
