4 minute read
MCA/WCA releases 2024-2025 Brazina Documentary Film Series schedule
By Richard Prosten
The Brazina Documentary Film Series — one of the most popular programs offered by the Men’s and Women’s Cultural Alliances — has announced the titles of its next five films. This year's offerings range from historical to biographical and the series sponsors say audiences will find all of them to be both entertaining and educational. Some of the films will include live Q&A sessions with the filmmakers.
“Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop”
The Series' Dec. 2 film, “Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop,” is a charming look at the life, work and genius of Shari Lewis (born Phyllis Naomi Hurwitz) and her sock puppets Lamb Chop, Hush Puppy and Charlie Horse. The film allows us to appreciate Lewis’ contributions to many other facets of education and entertainment after television networks canceled her children's shows and substituted cartoons.
“Moses Ezekiel: Portrait of a Lost Artist”
The second film of the series will be shown on Jan. 7, 2025. In a first for our series, the filmmakers will appear with us, in person, to discuss it.
Created by Steven Pressman, the award-winning director of “Holy Terror” and “The Levys of Monticello,” and Peabody Award winner Lisa Stark, this timely and provocative documentary tells the story of sculptor Moses Ezekiel, a Southern Jew who fought for the Confederacy and subsequently created many memorials commemorating it. Ezekiel was more celebrated internationally than he was at home but has been rediscovered in light of recent debate about Civil War monuments, including those that are perhaps most famous — the one at Arlington National Cemetery and the one in Charlottesville Virginia that was also the site of a rally to preserve it. That rally was sponsored by the proud boys and other fascists who, ironically, surrounded the statue chanting, "Jews will not replace us."
Please plan on joining us after the film for a 20- to 30-minute in-person discussion/Q&A with the filmmakers.
“How to Come Alive”
This film with Norman Mailer will be shown on Feb. 4, 2025. The film won the award for "Best Documentary" at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival earlier this year. Propelled by his tremendous ego and contrarian spirit, Mailer’s ceaseless visibility in the public eye lasted six decades, during which he had six tumultuous marriages, nine children, 11 bestsellers, three arrests, and two Pulitzer Prizes. Prophet, hedonist, violent criminal, literary outlaw and social provocateur, Mailer’s ideas about love, anger, fear and courage cut to the core of human nature and helped make him one of the most controversial authors of the 20th Century.
The project had full access to Mailer’s family and their archives, and the film features a trove of intimate and never-before-seen footage, outtakes, audio recordings and interviews from throughout his life.
Ian: Breaking Silence”
On March 4, 2025, the series will present “Janis Ian: Breaking Silence.” In the mid60s, Janis Ian, a teenage Jewish singersongwriter from New Jersey writes and records a controversial hit single, called "Society's Child," about an interracial relationship. The song launches her career but also ignites death threats plunging her into an emotional tailspin. She emerged from the ashes in the 1970s with an even bigger hit, "At Seventeen," ahead of its time in confronting lookism and bullying.
The film covers Ian's life from her childhood on a New Jersey chicken farm to her rise to fame in the 1970s and beyond. It includes her struggles with homophobia and misogyny, her collaborations with other artists, and her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. The film also features Ian's music, family, friends and collaborators as she produces a catalog of searingly honest songs that earn her a devoted following and critical acclaim.
Others featured in the film include Lily Tomlin, Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie and Jean Smart.
“Eva’s Promise”
The final film in this season's program, “Eva's Promise,” will be shown on April 1. On a train to Auschwitz, 15-year-old Eva, the posthumous stepsister of Anne Frank, promises to retrieve her brother’s hidden artwork should he not survive the war. “Eva’s Promise” introduces the teenage painter and poet Heinz Geiringer and his sister’s commitment to share his remarkable legacy with the world.
A post-showing Q&A with the filmmaker is planned.
All the above-mentioned films will be shown at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center at 1:30 p.m. There is never a charge but, for security and capacity reasons, reservations are required. Registration through the WCA and MCA websites and e-blasts is available during the month preceding each film. Questions? Contact us at Docfilmsnaples@gmail.com.
