David Greaves Unveils Harlem Documentary at Davis Theater
The 2026 film, which reconstructs a 1972 gathering of Harlem Renaissance figures, opens a limited run in Chicago alongside a new exhibition at the Art Institute.
By Bianca Herrera ·
Local audiences can now see a new documentary that preserves the legacy of the Harlem Renaissance through archival footage. The film, titled Once Upon a Time in Harlem, begins a limited theatrical run at the Davis Theater on Friday, November 13.
The project is a five-decade effort by David Greaves, son of filmmaker William Greaves. David and his daughter, Liani Greaves, served as the producer. They restored exceptionally preserved 16mm film to reconstruct a 1972 event where William Greaves gathered surviving minds from the Harlem Renaissance movement. The footage captures these figures discussing the culture they helped build.
The documentary has already traveled through several festivals before reaching Chicago. It premiered at Sundance in January 2026 and later screened at the Chicago International and Black Harvest Film Festivals. The runtime is 100 minutes, and it carries a PG-13 rating. Showtimes vary during the screening window, which extends through Sunday, November 15.
The film uses the archival material to contrast the vibrancy of the 1920s and 1930s with the modern condition of historically creative hubs. The subjects on screen debate how they achieved cultural reverence while acknowledging the factors that have reduced places like Harlem and Bronzeville to relics. The editing aims to ensure the work of these ancestors remains visible.
Simultaneously, the Art Institute of Chicago is opening an exhibition with a similar focus on artistic intent. The show, Beatriz González: In Series and Full Color, runs from Sunday, November 15, to Monday, March 1, 2027. It features the work of the Colombian artist, known in her home country as la maestra. The collection spans nearly six decades of her paintings and prints.
González is known for manipulating imagery from mass media to create political commentary. She has stated that art says things that history cannot. Although her methodology aligns with the pop art era, the exhibition title emphasizes the importance of the display itself. The Art Institute notes that showing the work is as important as telling the story behind it.
Visitors can travel between the two venues via the Brown Line from the Davis Theater to the Loop. The Davis Theater screening concludes on November 15, marking the end of the film's initial local run.
