With their addiction to violence, punctuated by "official statements," most TV news programs should be eager to cover human rights violations--instead, car crashes and US State Department pronouncements are the daily fare. Two antidotes: from Wed. Nov. 6 to Sun. Nov. 10, the Human Rights Film Festival chronicles terror and resistance from Latvia (Children of Siberia) to Saltspring Island, BC, Canada, (Ah, The Money, the Money, the Money). And some of these filmmakers live the same terror they document: director Tahmineh Milani is currently facing charges in Iran for having made her film, The Hidden Half. If convicted, Ms. Milani could face the death penalty. Other, more fortunate filmmakers will discuss their work following screenings, including the opening night showing of Kalama Sutta: Seeing is Believing, with director Holly Fisher.

And Dyke Community Activists present Three Nights at the Movies, beginning on Sun., Nov. 11, with two inspiring films, Another World is Possible: Impressions of the 2002 World Social Forum and Mulukuku: Women Organized for Health & Dignity, a benefit for the Mulukuku Women's Health Coop. Also: Sun. Nov 24, Rachel's Daughters, on breast cancer and environmental toxins; and Sun. Dec. 8, Frontiers of Dreams & Fears, the lives of Palestinian children growing up in refugee camps. Three Nights at the Movies is hosted by 911 Media Arts Center; the Human Rights Film Festival will be screened at several Seattle locations. Forget about Harry Potter: take these opportunities to see real courage on screen. --Valerie Jean Rose

Often film lovers have a hard time finding good, entertaining political films. Hollywood's usual offerings are insipid, reactionary, and pointlessly violent. But once in a while a good film squeaks through. Right now, Seattle viewers have a chance to see several good flicks. Bowling For Columbine, Michael Moore's latest film, has been making the rounds of film festivals (and winning awards) for months; it's now playing at the Egyptian in Seattle, at the Bellevue Galleria, and at the Parkway Plaza 12 near Southcenter. After you've watched 24-hour coverage of the DC sniper, you'll be glad to have Moore's film to put it all in perspective for you.

If you're in the mood for something more serious, you can still see The Grey Zone at the Metro Cinemas in the U-District. Actor and Director Tim Blake Nelson (whom Joel and Ethan Coen fans will remember as Delmar in Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?) adapted The Grey Zone from his successful play. It's a miracle that this film, about the Jewish Sonndercommando at Auschwitz, reached movie theaters. That's a testament to its compelling subject matter: collaboration, moral compromise, and the struggle for redemption in the face of constant and imminent death. Go see it before it disappears.

Two new films are on my "must-see" list this month. Actress Salma Hayek fought a long battle to get the movie Frida made. It is, of course, a biopic about the socialist painter Frida Kahlo. For me, what makes the movie special is that it's directed by Julie Taymor, whose innovative directing made Shakespeare's minor play Titus so much fun to watch on film. Frida is playing at the Meridian 16 and The Metro Cinemas.

The other movie on my list is All or Nothing. I have to admit that I'm a shameless Mike Leigh fan. His method of directing--in which his characters improvise many of their scenes--suits domestic drama particularly well, and often has the effect of making his films seem closer to documentary than fiction. And for those of us who've experienced domestic trauma, Leigh's films speak directly to our emotional experiences. They can be revealing, cathartic, and very healing. All or Nothing is currently playing at the Seven Gables.