“The Best of Enemies” begins Movies That Matter

In memory of Co-Founder Steve Brazina (z”l)

By Jeff Margolis

The Inaugural Steve Brazina Memorial Film Festival presents “The Best of Enemies” as its first film in the 2022-23 film series.

Movies That Matter SWFL, the preeminent human rights fi lm festival in Southwest Florida, is once again presenting an important series of films this season. Movies That Matter, in its fifth year, is now known as the Steve Brazina Memorial Film Series in memory of Steve, co-founder of this annual film series, tireless worker and local film “maven.” He was a long-time docent at the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center and former program chair of GenShoah of SWFL.

What would bring Ann Atwater, an outspoken civil rights activist, to meet with C.P. Ellis, a Ku Klux Klan leader? The answer is in the first film, “The Best of Enemies.” Based on the book written by Osha Gray Davidson, the fi lm exposes racism in the town of Durham, N.C., where the leader of the Ku Klux Klan and the social activist put aside their mistrust for each other for a common goal.

This first film will be a hybrid event – you’ll watch the film on your own (it is currently available on Amazon and other streaming platforms) and then join the Zoom panel discussion/Q&A on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 4 p.m. The panel will include Vincent Keeys, Collier County NAACP president; Kathy Schillreff, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Marco Island, member of the Southwest Florida Diocese’s Race and Reconciliation Committee; and Brian Lipton, regional director, West Coast Florida, American Jewish Committee.

The cost for this event is $5. To purchase tickets, visit www. hmcec.org — click on the “Event Tickets” tab in the top right of the webpage. You will receive the Zoom link 24 hours before the discussion begins.

The next two titles and panel discussions will be in-person events held at Paragon Theaters – Pavilion, 833 Vanderbilt Beach Road in Naples. “Apart” will be screened on Wednesday, Nov. 2 and “Redlining” on Wednesday, Nov. 9, both at 6 p.m. Be sure to circle the dates for these engaging films and the discussions that follow. Panelists will be announced shortly. Tickets for each of these fi lms is $10 and advance purchase is required. Visit www.hmcec.org and click on the “Event Tickets” tab in the top right of the webpage.

Movies That Matter is presented by GenShoah of SWFL, Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center, Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, Jewish Community Relations Council, Naples United Church of Christ and Temple Shalom. Sponsors as of Aug. 30 include Sustainer sponsor Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP; Supporter sponsors FineMark National Bank and Trust and Habitat for Humanity of Collier County; and Patron sponsors Ida and Jeff Margolis.

Fully deductible sponsorships are still available. Sponsors will be recognized on all promotional emails to over 4,000 households, during each movie’s panel, and on www.hmcec.org. Sponsor levels are Benefactor $1,000, Sustainer $500, Supporter $250 and Patron $75.

For more information on the films, ticket purchase and sponsorships, please visit the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center website at www.hmcec. org or email info@hmcec.org.