Brazina Documentary Film Series Announces 2025-2026 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 its first five films for the upcoming season. This year’s selections span historical and biographical themes, offering audiences documentaries that are both entertaining and educational.

All films are scheduled to be shown on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. (Doors open at 1p.m.)

Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold– November 4

The season opens with Labors of Love, a powerful portrait of Henrietta Szold, a pioneering figure among American Jewish women. Founder of Hadassah in 1912, Szold became a transformative force in early 20thcentury Palestine, establishing a healthcare system that served Jews and Arabs alike, shaping education, and initiating social services that endure to this day.

She also helped organize Youth Aliyah, rescuing thousands of Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Europe and relocating them to Palestine in the 1930s.

Born in Baltimore as the eldest daughter of a rabbi, Szold devoted her early years to assisting her father’s scholarly work. Unlike her four younger sisters, she didn’t attend college, marry, or have children — but her organizational brilliance emerged early, founding the first night school for Russian immigrants to teach English. Runtime: 79 minutes

The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & the Art of Survival– December 2

This visually stunning documentary explores the life of Tamara de Lempicka (born Tamara Hurwitz), whose bold, sensual portraits helped define the Art Deco movement and the glamour of post-WWI Paris.

Combining cubism, classicism, and surrealism, Lempicka reimagined the female figure — not as object, but as protagonist. Her work portrayed women in unapologetically erotic and empowered forms. Fleeing fascism in 1940, she relocated to the U.S., where she continued to challenge norms as an artist, mother, and bisexual woman. Director Julie Rubio’s film, narrated by Anjelica Huston, features newly discovered 8mm home movies and rare archival material. Runtime: 96 minutes

Coinciding with the film, Artis— Naples, owner of two De Lempicka originals, is sponsoring a fall exhibition of her work. The retrospective includes pieces from her 1920s Paris period, later still lifes and interiors from her time in the U.S. and Mexico, and selections from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco’s Art Deco collection. MCA will offer docent-led tours in December and January.

Charles Grodin: Rebel with a Cause [not the James Dean drama!] – January 6

This documentary celebrates the life of Charles Grodin — comedian, actor, and tireless advocate for justice. Raised in a Jewish household in Pittsburgh, Grodin embodied the principle of Tikkun Olam, dedicating decades to freeing wrongly convicted individuals, many of them mothers of color. Runtime: 93 minutes

Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse– February 2

This documentary delves into the life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Art Spiegelman, whose groundbreaking graphic novel Maus redefined the medium.

Influenced by his Holocaust-Survivor parents and personal tragedies, Spiegelman’s art confronts trauma, memory, and identity with raw honesty. From underground comics to provocative New Yorker covers, he pushed boundaries and helped legitimize comics as serious literature. (Description adapted from the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.) Runtime: 98 minutes

Diane Warren: Relentless – March 3

This intimate portrait traces Diane Warren’s journey from a modest Jewish upbringing in Van Nuys, California, to becoming one of the most prolific songwriters in history. Known for her rebellious spirit and relentless drive, Warren broke barriers in a male-dominated industry, penning mega-hits for Cher, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears, and Beyoncé.

Blending candid reflections, behind-the-scenes footage, and insights from collaborators, the film reveals Warren’s unconventional creative process and personal resilience. Runtime: 92 minutes

Final Film: April 14

The season’s final film will be announced once arrangements are finalized.

Screenings & Registration

Admission is free, but due to security and capacity limits, reservations are required. Registration is available via WCA and MCA websites and e-blasts during the month preceding each film.

Any questions or comments, contact Richard Prosten at Docfilmsnaples@gmail.com.