Doc Talk Podcast: David and Liane Gries on Their Oscar Contender "Once Upon a Time in Harlem"

"Once Upon a Time in Harlem" continues its strong push for Oscar recognition, earning five nominations from the Critics' Choice Documentary Awards on Tuesday. This adds to its distinction of premiering at Sundance and being honored at the Cannes, Telluride, Toronto and New York film festivals, making it the only documentary to achieve this […]

Once Upon a Time in Harlem continues its strong push for Oscar recognition, earning five nominations at the Critics' Choice Documentary Awards on Tuesday. This adds to the distinction of being screened at Sundance and boasting berths at the Cannes, Telluride, Toronto and New York film festivals – the only documentary to do so this year.

Directed by David Graves and produced by Leanne Graves (David's daughter), the film is based on extraordinary footage from a 1972 event - an afternoon just for the surviving members of the Harlem Renaissance. They gathered at Duke Ellington's home for a final opportunity to renew friendships, share stories, and engage in vigorous discussion about the Harlem Renaissance, its artists and scholars, and black cultural and political life in America. Watch on Deadline

The documentary, based on footage shot by William Graves - David's father and Leanne's grandfather - opens in New York this Friday and in Los Angeles on October 23. David and Liani join the latest edition of the Doc Talk Deadline podcast to talk about their remarkable non-fiction feature and how they made it from almost 30 hours of footage.

David was one of the main cinematographers on the 1972 shoot. He recalls working with his father to capture this once-in-a-lifetime gathering and how William wanted the finished film to be "a theatrical experience that moves at a fast pace." Lianip echoes his grandfather, who was himself a true Renaissance man: actor, sculptor, poet, dancer, songwriter and filmmaker.

Graves also explores the interpersonal dynamics involved in the reunion of the many artists and thinkers who gathered in Harlem that day. Disagreements emerged among the group over how to define the Harlem Renaissance and whether its legacy would continue or fade away. Graves discusses the importance of women in the Harlem Renaissance and how their central role is sometimes overlooked.

Some of the friction or frustration became apparent during the reunion as some of those women tried to make their voices heard in the tumult of lively conversation.

Leanne Graves reveals why George Schuyler's presence at the rally stirred strong feelings among some attendees (related to his opposing politics). He also makes one awkward remark to Schuyler — a moment not included in the documentary. Doc Talk co-host John Ridley explains why he particularly identified with the comments made in the film by Richard Bruce Nugent, one of those fascinating living figures of the Harlem Renaissance featured in the documentary.

This is a new episode of Doc Talk, hosted by Oscar winner Ridley (12 Years a Slave, Shirley) and Deadline Senior Documentary Editor Matt Carey. The pod is a product of Deadline and Ridley's Nō Studios.

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