Neon has picked up US rights to the recent Sundance premiere Once Upon A Time In Harlem and is planning a theatrical release later this year.
David Greaves restored the documentary conceived and shot on 16mm film in 1972 by his late father William Greaves and served as a cameraman on the original filming.
Once Upon A Time In Harlem centres on a gathering at Duke Ellington’s New York house of luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance – which featured some of the most prominent Black American artists and thinkers of the 20th century –as they debate the movement’s impact.
William Greaves’ grand-daughter Liani Greaves produced the feature with Anne de Mare and serves as vice president of production at William Greaves Productions, while David Greaves is president.
Louise Archambault Greaves, William Greaves wife and creative partner of 55 years, co-founded the company in 1963. After his death in 2014, she worked to restore his films and to ensure the project would finally see the light of day.
Neon VP of acquisitions Sarah Colvin brokered the deal with Jason Ishikawa and Isadora Johnson of Cinetic Media on behalf of the filmmakers.
The feature marks Neon’s second acquisition from Sundance after Midnight entry Levicticus.
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